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Survey Says

House officials have launched a new survey in an attempt to improve training programs for Congressional staff.

The survey, conducted by Chief Administrative Officer Jay Eagen’s office, will study the skills needed for select positions in Members’ Washington, D.C., and district offices, as well as committee and leadership offices. [IMGCAP(1)]

That information will be used to design new training programs for Congressional staff, according to a Sept. 16 “Dear Colleague” letter issued by the chairmen and ranking members of the the House Administration Committee and the House Appropriations subcommittee on the legislative branch.

“[T]he House is committed to strengthening and improving the educational opportunities available to Members and staff,” House Administration Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio) said in a statement. “At a time when technology is playing an increasingly important role in office operations and constituent communications, it is especially important that these professional training and development opportunities continue to meet the specific needs of the House community.”

The study, jointly conducted with the Congressional Management Foundation and Deloitte Consulting, will use focus groups, survey and individual interviews to gather information.

Presidential Succession. The House Judiciary Committee hearing on the potential need to amend the 1947 Presidential Succession Act originally slated for last Friday was rescheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The witnesses will include Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), who has drafted legislation to change the line of succession and clarify ambiguities in the statute; Thomas Neale of the Congressional Research Service; Yale law professor Akhil Reed Amar; and Miller Baker, a partner at the D.C. law firm McDermott Will & Emery.

— Jennifer Yachnin and Suzanne Nelson

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