Additionally, the Office responds to requests regarding possible legislative solutions to particular problems, technical questions of substantive and procedural law, and the mechanics of preparation and the technical and legal accuracy of committee reports. Policies Governing Performance of Duties Attorneys in the Office are not involved in the formulation of legislative policy. In order to draft a measure or amendment that is technically effective to carry out the intent of the committee or senator concerned, however, attorneys must be able to ascertain the desired policy accurately and in adequate detail. The Office serves committees and senators without regard to political considerations. Within each of these categories, the Office gives priority to a request according to the time it is received by the Office.
All service is provided on a strictly confidential basis.
Responsibilities of the Legislative Drafter Legislative drafting is an exacting occupation. Effective drafting requires careful analysis of the legal problems involved, arrangement of matter in a logical sequence, and accurate expression of the concepts set forth. Constitutional limitations must always be observed. Most legislative proposals deal with matters which have been the subject of one or more previous enactments. A new measure must be carefully related to earlier enactments to produce, as far as possible, a consistent body of law, which will achieve the congressional purpose without producing unintended consequences.