OPM Congressional Budget Justification and Annual Performance Plan

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

FY 2000
Budget Justification/Performance Plan

(Administrative Services - EX SRV continued)
*Additional Information Available on the Next Page*

OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS

The Office of Congressional Relations (OCR) provides liaison between OPM and Congress, Congressional staff, interest groups, the White House and other Federal agencies on legislative matters affecting Federal human resource policies and practices. OCR develops strategies for the design and implementation of OPM’s legislative program and analyzes and responds to congressional initiatives which impact Federal human resource management issues.

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOAL FOR FY 2000

OCR Goal: FY 1999/2000	Guidance and assistance is provided to agency management and to Congress in the development of human resource management policies and programs to promote a merit-based and cost-effective Federal service and the optimum balance of Governmentwide consistency and agency-specific flexibilities.

Maintain effective representation of OPM and the Administration to Members of Congress and their staff so as to enable the OPM Director to exercise leadership in Congressional consideration of Federal human resource related legislation and other Congressional matters.

Develop and coordinate OPM’s strategy for the implementation of legislative recommendations. Analyze legislation and prepare legislative materials such as bill reports, testimony. Provide technical assistance to the Congress on human resource matters.

Manage OPM’s legislative planning process to ensure full consideration of OPM initiatives by both the Administration and the Congress.

Respond quickly and thoroughly to requests for assistance from Congressional committees and Members’ offices. OCR responds to hundreds of referrals, requests for comment on legislative proposals from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and thousands of inquiries made by phone, letter or in person by Congressional staff.

Enactment of the legislative proposals put forth by OPM and the Administration with regard to Federal human resource management issues.
In addition to three proposals submitted to Congress in 1998 that are likely to be reintroduced, ten or more new proposals are expected to be submitted, in FY 1999.

In FY 1998, Administration clearance to forward 9 legislative proposals was granted. Of those proposals all or part of six proposals were enacted into law. It is anticipated that more than 10 proposals will be forwarded in FY 1999.

In FY 1999 and FY 2000, OCR plans a proactive legislative agenda in support of the OPM Strategic Plan and Human Resources Initiatives.

Positive feedback from Congressional staff, employee organizations, OPM policy offices, interest groups, other executive agencies and OMB as indicated in meetings, routine discussions and written letters of commendation to ensure OCR meets the needs of those served.

Maintain ability to handle testimony, referrals and inquiries.
During FY 1998, the OCR provided legislative analysis, drafting assistance and policy review in response to Office of Management and Budget referrals. OCR reported orally or in writing on:

182 OMB referrals on House and Senate bills
121 OMB referrals on agency drafts of legislation
13 OMB referrals on miscellaneous budget and conference provisions
18 OMB referrals on draft executive orders
15 OMB referrals on presidential memorandum
60 OMB referrals on hearings
32 OMB referrals on OPM legislative proposals

In FY 1998, there were over 47,000 phone calls, 21,000 letters, and 7,000 visits from Congressional staff.

*Workload*	*FY 1998 Actual*	*FY 1999 Estimate*	*FY2000 Estimate*
Congressional hearings	19	19	15
OMB Referrals	441	400	375
Congressional policy inquiries	1,481	1,500	1,500
Technical Assistance	18	18	18

In FY 1999, continue work on upgrading technology to expand the range of annuitant inquiries that can be handled electronically.

VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION

Receive feedback through daily contacts with congressional staff, regular meetings with agency stakeholders and frequent meetings with OPM program offices.

Provide feedback regarding legislative agenda to OPM policy offices based on communications with employee organizations and congressional staff.

Submit OPM legislative initiatives to OMB for clearance and feedback from agencies with a coordinating or crosscutting interest.

Closely monitor OPM correspondence tracking system and facilitate more expeditious response to congressional correspondence.

Update system for tracking legislative, policy and casework issues.

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Web Page Created 14 May 1999