The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation (ASL) is responsible for the development and implementation of the Department's legislative agenda.
It provides advice on legislation and facilitates communication between the Department and Congress. The office also informs the Congress of the Department's views, priorities, actions, grants and contracts. ASL is the Department liaison with Members of Congress, staff, Committees, and with the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
The Office provides support to the Secretary of Health and Human Services by:
- developing, transmitting, providing information about, and working to enact the Department's legislative and administrative agenda;
- supporting implementation of legislation passed by Congress;
- working closely with the White House to advance Presidential initiatives relating to health and human services;
- responding to Congressional inquiries and notifying Congressional offices of grant awards (GrantsNet, TAGGS) made by the Department;
- providing technical assistance regarding grants and legislation to Members of Congress and their staff and facilitating informational briefings relating to Department programs and priorities;
- managing the Senate confirmation process for the Secretary and the 18 other presidential appointees (HHS) who must be confirmed by the Senate;
- preparing witnesses and testimony for Congressional hearings;
- coordinating meetings and communications of the Secretary and other Department officials with Members of Congress;
- notifying and coordinating with Congress regarding the Secretary's travel and event schedule;
- coordinating Department response to Congressional oversight and investigations;
- acting as Departmental liaison with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and coordinating responses to GAO inquiries; and
- serving as liaison to external organizations, including public and private interest groups, with respect to the legislative agenda.
Other HHS Sites of Interest