Working with Congress

The National Academy of Public Administration’s Congressional Charter, granted in 1984, states that Academy will “assess the effectiveness, structure, administration, and implications for governance of present or proposed public programs, policies, and processes.” With its more than 500 Fellows, the Academy works closely with members of Congress and their staffs to help federal, state, and local governments on improving their effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and social equity.

Academy activities with Congress include:

• conducting directed research studies

• tracking legislation and congressional activity

• providing Congressional testimony at Congressional request

• convening groups at Congressional request

• providing informal advice on legislation

• preparing an annual Report to Congress

Research Studies
Research studies, led by panels of Academy Fellows expert in wide ranging management and governance issues, comprise most of the Academy’s work. A team supports the work of these study panels and helps them to conduct the studies.

Congressional committees request many of the Academy’s studies. The resulting panel reports give members of Congress, their staffs and agency officials actionable recommendations specifically focused on helping agencies solve their governance and administrative challenges.

In the past year, Congressional committees have asked the Academy to study a variety of federal agencies, including:

Academy Fellows and staff frequently brief Congressional committees during and after completing their research. Briefings typically provide a detailed update on the panel’s conclusions and recommendations, as well as suggestions for follow-up steps.

To see all Academy publications click on the following link: http://www.napawash.org/publications.html

Testimony
Academy Fellows routinely provide Congressional testimony related to specific studies or to pressing issues upon request from members who require a source of trusted advice. Over the last several years, Academy representatives have testified before a number of times many House and Senate committees and subcommittees. Most recently, they have testified on such issues as reauthorizing the Administrative Conference of the United States, transforming FBI’s budget structures and personnel and pay authorities, planning the Department of Homeland Security’s regional and field office structure, and continuing the federal government’s focus on achieving results and improving agency performance.

To see all Academy Congressional testimony click on the following link:
http://www.napawash.org/resources/congressional_testimony.html

Convening Groups
The Academy has a strong history of bringing together diverse groups to achieve a common purpose. Drawing on its independence and non-partisanship, the Academy has convened legislative and executive branch staff and other stakeholders to discuss specific challenges, share best practices, and hold workshops and leadership forums. At one member’s request, the Academy recently convened a series of meetings with law enforcement experts to review proposals for expediting changes at the FBI. Participants included staff from the House Government Reform Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary, as well as representatives of the FBI, Government Accountability Office, Congressional Research Service, and National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.

Advice on Legislation
Members of Congress often ask the Academy to review proposed legislation. As an independent organization, the Academy can address broader, non-partisan issues of legislation, either informally or through a panel of Academy Fellows.

Annual Report to Congress
As stated in the Academy’s Congressional charter, “the Academy shall report annually to the Congress concerning the activities of the corporation during the preceding fiscal year. Such annual report shall submitted at the same time as is the report of the audit require by Section 11 of this Act. The report shall not be printed as a public document.”

Click to view the Annual Report