the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, and acts as the department's principal liaison with Congress. The Bureau consists of approximately 60-70 direct hire U.S. employees and leads all Department communications and activities with 535 Members of Congress, their offices, and committee staffs. H’s responsibility advocating on behalf of the Secretary, the Department, and the United States' foreign policy goals. The bureau’s organization is designed to work closely with congressional oversight committees and leadership. The Bureau has five offices which consist of: Bureau Operations Capitol Hill Liaison Office Office of House Affairs Office of Senate Affairs Office of Regional, Global, and Functional Affairs The Secretary of State is the principal Congressional relations officer of the department. The bureau supports the secretary by ensuring that the administration's foreign policy priorities are reflected throughout the legislative process. The bureau aims to succeed in its overall mission by seeking passage of relevant foreign policy legislation and appropriations, obtaining advice and consent to treaties, as well as confirmation of the president's departmental and ambassadorial nominees by the Senate. Additionally, the bureau coordinates the annual testimony provided by the secretary to Congressional committees with jurisdiction over state programs to explain department priorities and budget requirements. These Congressional Committees are: House of Representatives: House Committee on Foreign Affairs House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Senate: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs References External links www.state.gov contact information H