Title 2, The CongressRelease 119-102

§281a Purpose and Policy

Title 2 › CHAPTER 9 — OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL › SUBCHAPTER II — HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES › Part I — Purpose, Policy, and Function › § 281a

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Guide and help the House make laws clear and consistent. Stay neutral and not support or oppose bills unless the Speaker or a committee asks about a proposal that directly affects the Office. Keep communications with Members or committees confidential like lawyer-client.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §281a

The Congress, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The purpose of the Office shall be to advise and assist the House of Representatives, and its committees and Members, in the achievement of a clear, faithful, and coherent expression of legislative policies. The Office shall maintain impartiality as to issues of legislative policy to be determined by the House of Representatives, and shall not advocate the adoption or rejection of any legislation except when duly requested by the Speaker or a committee to comment on a proposal directly affecting the functions of the Office. The Office shall maintain the attorney-client relationship with respect to all communications between it and any Member or committee of the House.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 281a

Title 2, The Congress

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102