Summary
In a congressional office, the term casework refers to the response or services that Members of Congress provide to constituents who request assistance. Each year, thousands of constituents turn to Members of Congress with a wide range of requests, from the simple to the complex. Members and their staffs help constituents deal with federal and state administrative agencies and some private entities by acting as facilitators and, in some cases, advocates.
Members of Congress determine the scope of their constituent service activities. Casework is conducted for various reasons, including a broadly held understanding among Members and staff that casework is integral to the representational duties of a Member of Congress. Casework activities may also be viewed as part of an outreach strategy to build political support, or as an evaluative stage of the legislative process. Constituent inquiries about specific policies, programs, or benefits may suggest areas where government programs or policies require institutional oversight or legislative consideration.
One challenge to congressional casework is the widely held public perception that Members of Congress can initiate a broad array of actions resulting in a speedy, favorable outcome. The rules of the House and Senate, and laws and regulations governing federal executive agency activities, closely limit interventions made on the behalf of constituents. When performing casework, congressional staff cannot force an agency to expedite a case or act in favor of a constituent. Congressional staff can intervene to facilitate the appropriate administrative processes, encourage an agency to give a case consideration, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome.
This report discusses House and Senate rules and guidelines, laws, and regulations affecting congressional casework, as well as the role of caseworkers. It also provides sample outlines and document templates for implementing and managing congressional casework. Further casework materials are available at the CRS Casework Resources web page at https://www.crs.gov/Resources/Casework.
Introduction
Casework in a congressional office refers to the response or services that Members of Congress provide to constituents who request assistance. Casework appears to be one of the more enduring representational activities, with Members of Congress providing services since the early years of the American republic. In contemporary times, thousands of constituents seek assistance annually from Members of Congress, with requests ranging from the simple to the complex. Members and their staffs help individual constituents deal with federal and state administrative agencies, as well as private entities, by acting as facilitators, and, in some cases, advocates. Typical casework requests include the following:
All congressional offices carry out some type of casework. In addition to providing services to individual constituents, some congressional offices also consider their liaison activities between the federal government and local governments or businesses concerned about the effects of federal legislation or regulation to be casework. Other congressional offices may include interactions with communities and nonprofit organizations seeking federal grants or other assistance as casework.2
Members of Congress determine the scope of their constituent service activities as part of the larger process of determining how to carry out their congressional duties.3 Casework is conducted for various reasons, including constituent demand and broadly held understandings among Members and their staff that casework is integral to the representational duties of a Member of Congress. Others believe that casework activities can be part of an outreach strategy to build political support among constituents. As a consequence of differing perspectives, the level and intensity of congressional casework might vary among Member offices.
Casework might also be seen by some as an evaluative stage of the legislative process. Some suggest that casework inquiries can provide Members of Congress with a micro-level view of executive agency activities, affording them the opportunity to evaluate whether a program is functioning as Congress intended. Constituent inquiries about specific policies, programs, or benefits may also suggest areas in which programmatic or policy changes require additional institutional oversight, or further legislative consideration.
Subsequent sections of this report discuss House and Senate rules and guidelines, laws, and regulations affecting congressional casework, as well as the role of caseworkers. This report also provides sample outlines and document templates for establishing and managing congressional casework. Further casework materials are available at the CRS Casework Resources web page at https://www.crs.gov/Resources/Casework.
House and Senate Rules Governing Casework
Each chamber has rules and guidelines regarding its Members' casework activities. House standards regarding casework services are discussed in the House Ethics Manual.4 Senate Rule XLIII and the Senate Ethics Manual establish parameters for casework services in that chamber.5 In each chamber, at the request of a constituent or petitioner for assistance, a Member of Congress may do the following:
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Constituent Casework Expectations One challenge to congressional casework is the widely held public perception that Members of Congress can initiate a broad array of actions resulting in a speedy, favorable outcome. The rules of the House and Senate, and laws and regulations governing federal executive agency activities, closely limit the extent of an intervention made on behalf of a constituent. When conducting casework, congressional staff cannot force an agency to expedite a case or act in favor of a constituent. Congressional staff may intervene to facilitate the appropriate administrative processes involved, encourage an agency to give a case consideration, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome. Some congressional offices address constituent expectations throughout casework encounters. |
Among other things, Senate Rule XLIII prohibits the provision of casework assistance on the basis of contributions or services to organizations in which the Senator has a political, personal, or financial interest. Guidelines in the House Ethics Manual say that when contacting a federal agency on behalf of a constituent, a Member, officer, or employee of the House should not make prohibited, off the record comments, receive things of value for providing casework assistance, or improperly pressure agency officials.6
Casework is generally not something that draws Members of Congress or their staff, acting in their official capacity, into a proceeding before the courts. The Senate Ethics Manual describes constituent service as something that occurs in the executive branch, and is silent on service before the courts.7 Guidelines in the House Ethics Manual provide a range of options to Members who might choose to participate in judicial proceedings.8
Decisions regarding staff employment in congressional offices rest with each Member of Congress, subject to applicable law and chamber rules. When seeking staff, Members of Congress have specified a number of job titles related to constituent service and casework, including, but not limited to, Caseworker; Constituent Services Representative; District, Field, or Regional Representative; Field Representative/Caseworker; or Regional Coordinator. While the particular job responsibilities can vary across offices, Members of Congress have ascribed the following duties to staff in those positions:
To carry out their duties, congressional caseworkers typically
Individuals who work as caseworkers come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of professional experience. Members seeking constituent service staff typically seek out applicants who are motivated, patient, and adaptable, and who demonstrate good organizational skill, discretion, and a sense of humor. Caseworkers typically learn the policies and procedures through which agencies operate to provide services or benefits, and work with constituents whose requests are sometimes made with a high level of personal and emotional engagement.
Each congressional office establishes its own policies and procedures regarding the provision of casework services. These are typically based on a number of factors, which may be weighed differently in each congressional office, and include
Constituent Privacy Protections
Federal law and agency regulations can affect congressional access to casework-related information held by executive branch agencies. Two main laws, the Privacy Act of 197410 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA),11 protect constituent records in a variety of casework scenarios. The Privacy Act, discussed in greater detail below, affects most constituents with casework inquiries that require interaction with a federal agency. HIPAA may affect constituents with casework inquiries that involve medical or other health care information. Other federal laws and agency regulations may protect certain constituent information in agency records.12 Regulations issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for example, may affect constituents with immigration concerns.
Under the Privacy Act, each executive branch agency that maintains records containing an individual's personally identifiable information must have a release from that individual to share information with any other entity. In general, agencies cannot reply to a congressional inquiry without a Privacy Act release from the constituent requesting assistance.13 Sample authorizations are included below.
Constituent correspondence sent to a Member's office does not fall under the protections provided by the Privacy Act or any other statute safeguarding personally identifiable records. Due to the high probability of an expectation of privacy concerning these communications, and Member interest in maintaining the confidentiality of office activities, many congressional offices develop a policy for safeguarding the privacy of casework-related documents. Such a policy could include limiting access to casework correspondence files, including working drafts of correspondence, to office personnel assigned to constituent service duties.
Rules promulgated under HIPAA give patients the right of access to their medical information and prohibit health plans and health-care providers from using or disclosing identifiable information to most individuals or entities without a patient's written authorization.14 Examples of constituent inquiries that might involve medical information include claims for benefits under the following programs: Social Security disability; veterans' programs; Medicare; disaster relief; medical services to military members injured on active duty, or to military members, their dependents, and retirees through TRICARE;15 workers' compensation; and immigration.
Some agencies have determined that congressional requests for medical information related to casework inquiries require a HIPAA release. Procedures for securing patient consent to release information or to provide information to third parties may vary from agency to agency.
Access to information related to immigration cases may be governed by the Privacy Act, HIPAA, or regulations of DHS. Constituents with cases before DHS entities, including United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), might be requested to complete an agency-specific form instead of or in addition to a Privacy Act release before DHS immigration-related entities will communicate with congressional offices.16
The Creating Advanced Streamlined Electronic Services for Constituents Act of 2019, or the CASES Act,17 is intended to modernize and simplify what has been an inconsistent and variable process of obtaining an individual's written consent for information disclosure. The act would enable citizens to provide electronic authorization to additional parties, including Members of Congress for assistance with casework matters, replacing requirements and informal practices for verbal or email authorizations, or "wet" signatures on paper forms.
The CASES Act required the Office Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance requiring agencies to accept electronic identity proofing and authentication processes that citizens could use to consent to gaining personal access to, or the disclosure of, an individual's records in possession of a federal agency to another party; and requiring each agency to accept electronic consent and access forms.
Agencies were required by November 21, 2021, to comply with OMB implementation guidance. The extent to which agencies have complied with congressional and OMB requirements is questionable,18 and it does not appear that most agencies are able to consistently accept Privacy Act or other privacy releases.
Establishing Procedures: A Casework Manual
Based on the priorities identified in individual congressional offices, many offices compile documentation to clarify policies related to casework. Having a manual or established protocol can help offices ensure consistency in their casework practices. This type of document is not required, and there is no congressional standard regarding its format or contents. All decisions regarding activities and operations in a Member's office are within the discretion of the Member, subject to chamber rules and relevant statute. Procedures are typically developed by modifying standardized outlines and protocols to a particular office, based on the priorities and goals of that office and the preferences and needs of the Member's constituents. The outline below suggests questions to help develop an office casework manual addressing those demands. Sample documents, which may be used in whole or in part, are also provided.
This section of the manual could be where congressional offices explain their approach to constituent service. This section could also explain the role of casework in relation to broader office goals and the caseworker's role in meeting those goals. Questions that might be addressed in this section include the following:
This section could provide an overview of office organization and operations. Questions that might be addressed in this section include the following:
This section could incorporate the rules and guidelines regarding casework of the House or Senate, as appropriate. Such documents could include Senate Rule XLIII and the Senate Ethics Manual, Chapter 8, "Constituent Services," available at http://ethics.senate.gov/downloads/pdffiles/manual.pdf, or the House Ethics Manual, Chapter 8, "Casework," available at https://ethics.house.gov/house-ethics-manual. In addition, this section could detail rules or procedures specific to the particular congressional office. Questions that might be addressed in this section include
Step-by-Step Considerations of Casework Activities
Intake describes the process by which constituents request casework services and a congressional office prepares to respond. Intake procedures could define the information and materials needed from constituents, including descriptions of the problem according to the constituent and related documentation, as well as the release of personal information from agencies under various authorities (see "Sample Documents and Release Forms" below) as appropriate, if necessary. Questions that might be addressed in developing procedures for the intake process include the following:
As part of the intake process, it is generally necessary to determine the scope of the constituent's case and to set expectations between the caseworker and the constituent. Questions that might be addressed in developing procedures for working with constituents include the following:
Case Management and Scheduling
At the end of the intake process, it is necessary to identify and contact the appropriate agency to address the constituent's concerns. Preliminary information on agencies with congressional liaison offices can be obtained from CRS's directory of Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies, at http://www.crs.gov/resources/liaisonoffices/. Questions that might be addressed in developing procedures for working with executive branch agencies include the following:
A common concern regarding casework records is their maintenance while cases are open, and their disposition when cases are concluded. The House and Senate consider the records generated in a Member's office to be the personal property of the Member,19 and policies regarding casework records are at the discretion of individual Member offices.
Agencies for Which Casework Services Might be Requested
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American Battle Monuments Commission |
Department of Labor |
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AmeriCorps (Corporation for National and Community Service) |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
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Amtrak |
Office of Administrative Law Judges |
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Appalachian Regional Commission |
Office of Disability and Employment Policy |
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Central Intelligence Agency |
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs |
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Commission on Fine Arts |
Department of State |
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Commodity Futures Trading Commission |
Bureau of Consular Affairs |
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau |
Department of the Interior |
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Department of Agriculture |
Bureau of Indian Affairs |
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Agricultural Marketing Service |
Bureau of Land Management |
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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service |
Bureau of Reclamation |
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Farm Service Agency |
Fish and Wildlife Service |
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Food and Nutrition Service |
National Park Service |
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Food Safety and Inspection Service |
Department of the Treasury |
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Forest Service |
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau |
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Rural Housing Service |
Bureau of the Fiscal Service |
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Department of Commerce |
Comptroller of the Currency |
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Economic Development Administration |
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network |
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International Trade Administration |
Internal Revenue Service |
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Minority Business Development Agency |
Office of Foreign Assets Control |
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National Institute of Standards and Technology |
Department of Transportation |
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration |
Federal Aviation Administration |
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Patent and Trademark Office |
Department of Veterans Affairs |
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U.S. Census Bureau |
National Cemetery Administration |
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Department of Defense |
Veterans Benefits Administration |
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Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency |
Veterans Health Administration |
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Defense Finance and Accounting Services |
Election Assistance Commission |
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Defense Intelligence Agency |
Environmental Protection Agency |
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Defense Logistics Agency |
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission |
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Joint Chiefs of Staff |
Fannie Mae |
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National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency |
Farm Credit Administration |
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National Guard Bureau |
Federal Communications Commission |
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National Security Agency/Central Security Service |
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
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U.S. Air Force |
Federal Election Commission |
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U.S. Army |
Federal Housing Finance Agency |
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Arlington National Cemetery |
Federal Labor Relations Authority |
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Office of Army Cemeteries |
Federal Maritime Commission |
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board |
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U.S. Marine Corps |
Federal Trade Commission |
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U.S. Navy |
Freddie Mac |
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U.S. Space Force |
General Services Administration |
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Department of Education |
Legal Services Corporation |
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Department of Energy |
Library of Congress |
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Department of Health and Human Services |
U.S. Copyright Office |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Merit Systems Protection Board |
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
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Food and Drug Administration |
National Archives and Records Administration |
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Health Resources and Services Administration |
National Endowment for the Arts |
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Indian Health Service |
National Endowment for the Humanities |
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National Institutes of Health |
National Labor Relations Board |
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration |
National Science Foundation |
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U.S. Public Health Service |
National Transportation Safety Board |
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Department of Homeland Security |
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission |
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Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman |
Office of Personnel Management |
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Federal Emergency Management Agency |
Office of Special Counsel |
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Transportation Security Administration |
Peace Corps |
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services |
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation |
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U.S. Coast Guard |
Railroad Retirement Board |
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
Sallie Mae |
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
Securities and Exchange Commission |
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Department of Housing and Urban Development |
Selective Service System |
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Federal Housing Administration |
Small Business Administration |
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Department of Justice |
Smithsonian Institution |
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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives |
Social Security Administration |
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Bureau of Prisons |
Tennessee Valley Authority |
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Drug Enforcement Administration |
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights |
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Federal Bureau of Investigation |
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
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Office of Justice Programs |
U.S. Postal Service |
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U.S. Marshals Service |
The CRS Casework Resources web page, available at https://www.crs.gov/resources/casework, provides a number of reports, links to websites, and other materials that may be of assistance to congressional constituent service staff.
Sample Documents and Release Forms20
Sample Constituent Guide/Newsletter Piece/Outreach Handout
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As a Member of Congress, one of my most important responsibilities is to help constituents interact with the many agencies and offices of the federal government. Staff in my office can provide you with basic information, such as a federal agency phone number, and help you with governmental procedures, such as applying for a passport or visa. In addition, my staff can help with matters involving other government agencies and programs, including
Although we cannot force an agency to expedite your case or act in your favor, we can frequently intervene to facilitate the processes involved, encourage an agency to give your case consideration, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome. My office is unable to offer legal advice or recommend an attorney. The rules of the <HOUSE/SENATE> do not allow me to intervene in or influence the outcome of cases that are under the jurisdiction of any court. Finally, my office cannot intervene in matters under the jurisdiction of local or state governments. Although I cannot guarantee a particular outcome, my staff and I will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response regarding your problem. If I may be of assistance to you, please contact my ______ office at _______. I look forward to hearing from you. |
Initial Correspondence with Constituents Opening a Case
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Dear <CONSTITUENT>: Thank you for contacting me about your concerns with <AGENCY> and its actions regarding <BRIEF SUMMARY OF PROBLEM>. I appreciate the opportunity to assist you. My office can frequently intervene to facilitate the processes involved, encourage an agency to give your case consideration, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome. As my staff address your concerns and work to secure a response from <AGENCY>, please bear in mind that the rules of the <HOUSE/SENATE> do not allow me to force an agency to expedite your case or to act in your favor. My office is not able to offer legal advice or recommend an attorney, or intervene in, or influence the outcome of, cases that are under the jurisdiction of any court. Finally, our office cannot intervene in matters under the jurisdiction of local or state governments.21 To begin the process, please sign and return the enclosed form allowing <AGENCY> to release information about your case to my office. This requirement falls under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974. The release must be signed by the person directly affected, unless the person is a minor, or a third party has a notarized power of attorney. 22 Once we have the release, we can begin to work on your case. If you have any questions, please contact <STAFFER> at <PHONE>. My staff and I look forward to working with you. Sincerely, <MEMBER OF CONGRESS> Additional Text Related to Opening a Case Some offices may wish to provide or request additional information to facilitate case management. Examples of sample text for selected purposes might include specifying methods of communication, agency-specific information that might be helpful, or how to manage health care information. Supplement 1 to Initial Correspondence: Preferred Contact For us to better assist you, please provide, in writing, a summary of the problem you are facing with <FEDERAL AGENCY>. A written statement helps ensure that we have a record of all the pertinent details that the agency will need. Please mail your information to <OFFICE MAILING ADDRESS>, or you can e-mail it to <STAFF NAME> at <STAFF E-MAIL ADDRESS>. Supplement 2 to Initial Correspondence: Provide Information (Generic) In order for us to better work with the agency on your behalf, please provide my office with any pertinent information or claim numbers in your correspondence, such as - your Social Security number, if your case involves the Social Security Administration; - your A# or case number, if your case involves immigration or visa matters; - your service number from the military, if your case involves military member benefits; or - your claim number from the Department of Veterans Affairs, if your case involves veterans' benefits. If you have received any related correspondence or documents from the agency involved, please send those to us as well. My office conducts most of its correspondence via <EMAIL/MAIL>, and it would help us work most efficiently if you would communicate with us this way. Please send your materials to <STAFF NAME> at <EMAIL/MAILING ADDRESS>. Supplement 3 to Initial Correspondence: Agency-Specific Requests For the <AGENCY NAME> to process your case, you must complete a <FORM NAME> from the agency. The <AGENCY NAME> will not respond to any inquiries from my office without it. This form is available online at <AGENCY WEBSITE>, or you may request one through my office. Supplement 4 to Initial Correspondence: Healthcare Information Since your case involves medical or healthcare information, we also ask that you complete the enclosed release specifically authorizing access to the medical records necessary to resolve your case, as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA). |
Simple Privacy Act Release Form
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<CONSTITUENT> <CONSTITUENT ADDRESS> [Date] To Whom It May Concern: Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, I authorize the <FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY> to provide information regarding my records to <MEMBER OF CONGRESS>. <CONSTITUENT SIGNATURE> |
Sample Privacy Act and HIPAA Release Form
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<CONSTITUENT> <CONSTITUENT ADDRESS> [Date] To Whom It May Concern: Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, I authorize the <FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY> to provide information regarding my records to <MEMBER OF CONGRESS>. Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1320d, I authorize the release to <MEMBER OF CONGRESS> of any protected health information related to my case that may be held by<FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY> to assist in resolving my case. <CONSTITUENT SIGNATURE> |
Case Information and Privacy Act Release Form
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Information Release The Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law designed to protect you from any unauthorized use and exchange of personal information by federal agencies. Any information that a federal agency has on file regarding your dealings with the United States government may not, with a few exceptions, be given to another agency or Member of Congress without your written permission. Specific protections of health care information are established in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Some agencies might require additional protections to ensure that your personal information is protected. Family members, friends, or other interested parties generally may not authorize on your behalf the release of information covered by the Privacy Act, HIPAA or agency practices. Please describe the situation for which you are requesting assistance: I hereby request the assistance of the Office of <REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR> to resolve the matter described above. I authorize <REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR> and <HIS/HER> staff to receive any information that they might need to provide this assistance. The information I have provided to <SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE> is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. The assistance I have requested from <MEMBER>'s office is in no way an attempt to evade or violate any federal, state, or local law.23 SIGNED:__________________________________________DATE:____________ Name: (please print)________________________________Date of Birth:_________ Address:_____________________________________________________________ City:________________ State:_______________ Zip:__________ Day Telephone:____________________ Evening Telephone:________________ E-mail Address:_________________________ Federal Agency Involved:____________ Case Number (if applicable):____________ |
Response Correspondence 1: Completed Response from Agency
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Dear <CONSTITUENT>, The attached <LETTER/E-MAIL> was received from <AGENCY> in response to my recent inquiry on your behalf. I hope the information provided is helpful. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me. Sincerely, <MEMBER OF CONGRESS> or <CONGRESSIONAL STAFF> |
Response Correspondence 2: Partial/Interim Response from Agency
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Dear <CONSTITUENT>, The attached <LETTER/E-MAIL> was received from <AGENCY> in response to my recent inquiry on your behalf. While this is not a final resolution to your case, I do hope this information will be helpful to you. Should you not hear from the <AGENCY> by <DATE>, please contact <CONGRESSIONAL STAFF> at my <STATE/DISTRICT/WASHINGTON> congressional office. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me. Sincerely, <MEMBER OF CONGRESS> or <CONGRESSIONAL STAFF> |
| 1. |
See CRS Report RL33213, Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management. |
| 2. |
Information on congressional grants work is available in CRS Report RL34035, Grants Work in a Congressional Office; and CRS Report RL34012, Resources for Grantseekers. |
| 3. |
See CRS Report RL33686, Roles and Duties of a Member of Congress: Brief Overview; and CRS Report R44726, Constituent Services: Overview and Resources. |
| 4. |
See U.S. Congress, House Committee on Ethics, House Ethics Manual, 2022 Print, 117th Cong., 2nd sess., 2022, pp. 299-322, at https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/2022/House-Ethics-Manual-2022-Print.pdf. |
| 5. |
Senate Rule XLIII, at https://www.rules.senate.gov/rules-of-the-senate#D694623C-BA95-9DAD-5C90-8277B7DD9A9E; and U.S. Congress, Senate, Select Committee on Ethics, Senate Ethics Manual, 108th Cong., 1st Sess., S. Pub. 108-1 (Washington: GPO, 2003), pp. 177-185, available at http://ethics.senate.gov/downloads/pdffiles/manual.pdf. |
| 6. |
House Ethics Manual, pp. 300-316. |
| 7. |
U.S. Senate, Select Committee on Ethics, Senate Ethics Manual, p. 178, available at http://ethics.senate.gov/downloads/pdffiles/manual.pdf. |
| 8. |
See U.S. Congress, House Committee on Ethics, House Ethics Manual, 2022 Print, 117th Cong., 2nd sess., 2022, pp. 311-312, at https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/2022/House-Ethics-Manual-2022-Print.pdf. |
| 9. |
See CRS Report R46262, Congressional Staff: Duties, Qualifications, and Skills Identified by Members of Congress for Selected Positions. |
| 10. |
P.L. 93-579, 5 U.S.C. 552a. |
| 11. |
P.L. 104-191, 42 U.S.C. 201 note. |
| 12. |
For example, 26 U.S.C. 6103 addresses confidentiality and disclosure of taxpayer returns and return information by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). |
| 13. |
Some congressional offices also provide casework services related to nonfederal issues. In these circumstances, state or municipal regulations related to privacy protection may need to be addressed to provide assistance to constituents. |
| 14. |
45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 164. |
| 15. |
TRICARE is a managed health care program provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) for active duty military, active duty service families, retirees and their families, and other beneficiaries, available at http://www.tricare.mil/. |
| 16. |
Further information for congressional offices is available from USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/congress/. |
| 17. |
P.L. 116-50, 5 U.S.C. 101 note. |
| 18. |
For further consideration of the CASES Act, see CRS In Focus IF12382, The CASES Act: Implementation Challenges, and CRS In Focus IF12159, The CASES Act: Implementation and Issues for Congress. |
| 19. |
House Rule VII (6)(b); and U.S. Senate, Secretary of the Senate, Records Management Handbook for United States Senators and Their Archival Repositories, S.Pub. 109-19 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 5. Guidance for House offices is available from U.S. House, Records Management Manual for Members, at https://housenet.house.gov/sites/housenet.house.gov/files/documents/member-archives-manual.pdf. |
| 20. |
The following are sample documents and are not intended to be definitive. Any information may be deleted or modified as appropriate to specific Member office policies and procedures. |
| 21. |
Some congressional offices offer assistance on matters related to state or municipal policies and services. If a congressional office does not address these matters, an office might choose to provide contact information for the appropriate local or state officials here. |
| 22. |
Some congressional offices do not accept cases through a power of attorney. Some agencies may or may not accept a power of attorney provided through a congressional office. |
| 23. |
Some congressional offices require constituents to certify that their case requests are lawful. This certification is not required. Some agencies may pursue civil or criminal remedies against constituents who do not provide truthful information when seeking public benefits or assistance. |