Office of Congressional and Government Affairs (OCGA)
The Office of Congressional and Government Affairs (OCGA) is the principal liaison office between the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and Capitol Hill.
The National Academies publish more than 200 publications and other products annually that range from evaluations of federal and state programs to long-term horizon scanning that identifies future needs and policy options. Topics span health, education, agriculture, natural resources, transportation, defense, technology, infrastructure, and more. Many consensus study reports include actionable recommendations for Congress, agencies, and stakeholders, which can be used in legislation and oversight efforts. All reports are available online for free — frequently accompanied by summary materials, infographics, or interactive overviews — and congressional staff briefings or discussions can be arranged to dive deeper into previous reports or topics of interest.
Work directly with the nation's top scientists, engineers, and health professionals. Our expert staff and volunteers include subject-matter specialists who can provide technical assistance in legislative development, help policy staff explore complex issues, and provide testimony for hearings. For legislation, staff can review the feasibility of proposed activities, discuss relevant findings from our past work, and identify emerging issues.
The Climate Crossroads Congressional Fellowship provides current congressional staff with a solid rounding in the science, engineering, and health dimensions of climate change.
The National Academies bring together academia, government, the private sector, and the public for discussion and debate. Our forums, roundtables, and workshops engage diverse stakeholders on critical issues, while public meetings and open sessions welcome wide participation and varied perspectives. Our globally recognized conferences and summits provide timely insights on key issues.
Our Work
We serve as the principal liaison between the National Academies and Capitol Hill. Our team negotiates legislative requests, monitors current legislation and congressional activities, and coordinates briefings to Congress. We respond to inquiries from congressional offices, review and advise on testimony from National Academies' representatives, and distribute consensus study reports to members of Congress and federal officials.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Description
OCGA activities include:
- negotiating legislative requests to the National Academies;
- monitoring current legislation and relevant congressional activities;
- coordinating briefings to Congress for the National Academies;
- responding to inquiries from congressional offices;
- reviewing and advising on the congressional testimony of representatives of the National Academies; and
- distributing the Academies' reports to interested members of Congress and federal officials.
Collaborators
Staff
Julie Eubank
Sandra McDermin
Tucker Nelson
Nicole Cohen
Ryan Gallasch
Cotilya Brown
Major units and sub-units
Organizational Initiatives
Lead
National Research Council Executive Office
Lead