scope:

Purpose

a. To provide guidance to Joint Staff and Combatant Command action officers (AOs) on official contacts with Congress, whether initiated by the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Congress, or outside agencies, for any official purpose.

b. To provide guidance to Joint Staff and Combatant Command AOs on preparing witnesses for appearances before congressional committees, performing content and classification reviews of testimony/transcripts, and developing and reviewing proper questions and inserts for the record (QFRs /IFRs). This instruction establishes the duties of AOs before, during, and after congressional hearings.

c. To provide guidance to Joint Staff and Combatant Command AOs on Congressional Reporting Requirements (CRRs); specifically pieces of legislation directing a report be submitted by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, (CJCS), a Combatant Commander, or in cases where the Secretary of Defense (SecDef) delegates his authority to the Chairman to sign-out a report.

Applicability

a. This instruction applies to all personnel assigned to or employed by the Joint Staff and Combatant Commands who conduct official business with congressional personnel, including members of Congress, their staffs, and congressional committees. Non-official contacts with congressional personnel are not affected by this instruction.

b. This instruction provides general guidance to assist all Combatant Command legislative offices and Joint Staff Directorates with congressional hearings, witness appearances or reporting requirements.