House of Representatives Staff Levels, 1977-2023

House of Representatives Staff Levels, 1977-
September 2, 2021
2021
R. Eric Petersen
The manner in which staff are deployed within an organization may reflect the mission and
Specialist in American
priorities of that organization. November 28, 2023 2023 R. Eric Petersen This report provides staffing levels in House Member, committee, This report provides staffing levels in House Member, committee,
National Government
leadership, and other offices leadership, and other offices Specialist in American since 1977. Between 1977 and since 1977. Between 1977 and 20212023, the number of House staff , the number of House staff

grew from 8,831 to 9,grew from 8,831 to 9,034, or 2.30%. Since 2009, however, the number of staff working in the
House has decreased 14.00%.
247, or National Government 4.71%.

These changes were characterized in part by increases in the number of staff working in chamber leadership offices, and These changes were characterized in part by increases in the number of staff working in chamber leadership offices, and
larger increases in the staffing of chamber officers and officials. House staff working for Members have shifted from larger increases in the staffing of chamber officers and officials. House staff working for Members have shifted from
committee settings to the personal offices of Members. Some of these changes may be indicative of the change and evolution committee settings to the personal offices of Members. Some of these changes may be indicative of the change and evolution
of the House as an institutionof the House as an institution, as the manner in which staff are deployed within an organization may reflect the mission and priorities of that organization. .
This report is one of several CRS products focusing on congressional staff. Links to others may be found in CRS Report This report is one of several CRS products focusing on congressional staff. Links to others may be found in CRS Report
R44688,R44688, Congressional Staff: CRS Products on Size, Pay, Job Tenure, and Duties. .

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Contents
House Staffing ................................................................................................................ 3
House Data Collection................. 2 House Data Collection ............................................................................... 3
House Staff Data ............................... 2 House Staff Data ........................................................................ 4
House Member Offices ............................................... 3 House Member Offices .......................................... 5
Committees ............................................................. 4 Committees ............................................ 6
Leadership Offices ............................................................................. 5 Leadership Offices .................. 6
Officers and Officials ............................................................................................ 7
Commissions 5 Officers and Officials .......................................................................................................... 7
Discussion 5 Commissions ....................................................................................................................... 7
Data Tables5 Discussion .................................................................................................................... 9

Figures
Figure 1. House Staff Levels by Category, 1977-2021................... 5 Data Tables ......................................... 5
Figure 2. Distribution of House Member Office Staff Since 1977 ............................................ 6

Tables
Table 1. House of Representatives Staff Levels by Category, 1997-2021.................................. 9
Table 2. Staff Working in House Member Offices Since 1977 ................................................. 11
Table 3. House Committee Staff, 2017-2021 .7 Figures Figure 1. House Staff Levels by Category, 1977-2023 .................................................................... 13
Table 4. House Committee Staff, 2007-2016 . 4 Figure 2. Distribution of House Member Office Staff, 2023 .................................................................... 14 5 Tables
Table 5. House Committee Staff, 1997-2006 ...........1. House of Representatives Staff Levels by Category, 1977-2023.......................................................... 15 7
Table 6. House Committee Staff, 1987-1996 ..................2. Staff Working in House Member Offices, Selected Years Since 1977 ................................................... 16 9
Table 73. House Committee Staff, 1977-1986 2014-2023 ...................................................................... 17
Table 8. Staff of Active Joint Committees Listed in House Directories, 1977-2021.......... 10 Contacts Author Information .................. .................. 19

Contacts
Author Information ....................................................................................................... 2011


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he manner in which staff are deployed within an organization may reflect the mission and he manner in which staff are deployed within an organization may reflect the mission and
priorities of that organization. priorities of that organization.
T In the House of Representatives, employing authorities hire staff to carry out duties in T In the House of Representatives, employing authorities hire staff to carry out duties in
Member office, committee, leadership, and other settings. The extent to which staff in those Member office, committee, leadership, and other settings. The extent to which staff in those
settings change may lend insight into the work of the House over time. Some of the insights that settings change may lend insight into the work of the House over time. Some of the insights that
might be taken from staff levels include might be taken from staff levels include
• an understanding of the division of congressional work between Members an understanding of the division of congressional work between Members
working working individual y individually through their personal offices, or collectively, through through their personal offices, or collectively, through
committee activities; committee activities;
and •  the relationship between committee leaders and chamber leaders, which could the relationship between committee leaders and chamber leaders, which could
have implications for the development and consideration of legislation have implications for the development and consideration of legislation, or the use of the use of
congressional oversightcongressional oversight, or deployment of staff; and the extent to which ; and the extent to which
specialized chamber administrative operations have grown over time. specialized chamber administrative operations have grown over time.
This report provides staffing levels in House Member,1 committee, leadership, and other offices This report provides staffing levels in House Member,1 committee, leadership, and other offices
since 1977. No House source appears to since 1977. No House source appears to official yofficially and authoritatively track the actual number of and authoritatively track the actual number of
staff working in the chambers by office or entity. Data presented here between 1977 and 2019 are staff working in the chambers by office or entity. Data presented here between 1977 and 2019 are
based on staff listed by chamber entity (offices of Members, committees, leaders, officers, based on staff listed by chamber entity (offices of Members, committees, leaders, officers,
officials, and other entities) in telephone directories published by the House. Data for 2020-officials, and other entities) in telephone directories published by the House. Data for 2020-2021
2023 are taken from the House Telephone Directory website available to Members of the House and are taken from the House Telephone Directory website available to Members of the House and
their staff. their staff.
Table 1 in in the the “Data Tables” section below provides data for staff listed in House directories section below provides data for staff listed in House directories
through through 2021. Data for House staff listed as joint committee employees on panels that organized
in the 117th Congress (2021-2022) are provided in Table 8.2
This report provides data based on a count of staff listed in House telephone directories published
since 1977. 2023. Like most sources of data, telephone directory listings have potential benefits and Like most sources of data, telephone directory listings have potential benefits and
potential drawbacks. Telephone directories were chosen for a number of reasons, including the potential drawbacks. Telephone directories were chosen for a number of reasons, including the
following:following:
 • telephone directories published by the House are an official source of information telephone directories published by the House are an official source of information
about that institution, and are widely available; about that institution, and are widely available;
 and • presumably, the number of directory listings closely approximates the number of presumably, the number of directory listings closely approximates the number of
staff working for the House staff working for the House;3

1 T hroughout.2 At the same time, data presented below should be interpreted with care for a number of reasons, including the following: • There is no way to determine whether all staff working for the House were listed in the chamber’s telephone directories or are included in the online House Telephone Directory. If some staff are not listed, relying on telephone directories is likely to lead to an undercount of staff. • It is not possible to determine if those staff who are listed were actually employed by the House at the time the directories were published or data were 1 Throughout this report, the terms “Member office,” “personal office,” and “House Member’s office” refer to the this report, the terms “Member office,” “personal office,” and “House Member’s office” refer to the
office held by a Member of the House upon election to Congress. office held by a Member of the House upon election to Congress. T heyThey do not refer to the number of facilities in which do not refer to the number of facilities in which
that work is carried out. Discussionsthat work is carried out. Discussions of how many staff are basedof how many staff are based in Washington, DC, and in Washington, DC, and congressional district facilities district facilities
distinguishes distinguish only between locations in only between locations in Washingt onWashington, DC, or in the , DC, or in the congressional district. district. ItThe report does not provide an office-by-office does not provide an office-by-office
accounting of staff working in multiple district facilities. accounting of staff working in multiple district facilities.
2 Joint committees that organized in the 117th Congress include the Joint Committees on T axation, Printing, and
Library, and the Joint Economic Committee. T he table excludes staff listed at various times since 1977 for the Joint
Committees on Inaugural Ceremonies, Atomic Energy, Defense Production, Internal Revenue Service, and
Organization of Congress. Staff data for those panels are available to congressional clients upon request.
3 T he 2 The actual moment printed telephone directories capture is the deadline that was set for the final collection of listings actual moment printed telephone directories capture is the deadline that was set for the final collection of listings
prior to publication. prior to publication. T heThe exact date for each year is not known exact date for each year is not known, but publication dates for the House directories were but publication dates for the House directories were
generally in the spring of each year. Data taken from the online House generally in the spring of each year. Data taken from the online House T elephoneTelephone Directory were collected on Directory were collected on
September 15, 2020, and September 15, 2020, and during June 2021, 2022, and 2023June 15, 2021. .
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House of Representatives Staff Levels, 1977-2023 Staff Levels, 1977-2021

 while arguably not their intended purpose, the directories provide a consistent
breakdown of House staff by internal organization at a particular moment in
time; and
 the directories afford the opportunity to compare staff levels at similar moments
across a period of decades.4
At the same time, however, data presented below should be interpreted with care for a number of
reasons, including the following:
 There is no way to determine whether al staff working for the House were listed
in the chamber’s telephone directories or are included in the online House
Telephone Directory. If some staff are not listed, relying on telephone directories
is likely to lead to an undercount of staff.
 It is not possible to determine if those staff who are listed were actual y
employed by the House at the time the directories were published or data were
collected from the House Telephone Directory. If the directories list individuals collected from the House Telephone Directory. If the directories list individuals
who are no longer employed by the House, then relying on them is likelywho are no longer employed by the House, then relying on them is likely to lead to lead
to an overcount of staff. to an overcount of staff.
• The extent to which the criteria for inclusion in the directories for the House have The extent to which the criteria for inclusion in the directories for the House have
changed over time cannot be fully determined. Some editions of the House’s changed over time cannot be fully determined. Some editions of the House’s
directories do not always list staff in various entities the same way.directories do not always list staff in various entities the same way.5 This may
raise questions regarding the reliability of telephone directory data as a means for
identifying congressional staff levels within the House over time.3
• Some House staff may have more than one telephone number, or be listed in the Some House staff may have more than one telephone number, or be listed in the
directory under more than one entity. directory under more than one entity.6 As a consequence, Consequently, in data covering 1977-2019, they might be counted they might be counted
more than once. This could lead to a more accurate count of staff in specific
entities within the House, but multiple listings may also lead to an overcount of
staff working in the chamber.
more than once.4 • Chamber directories may reflect different organizational arrangements over time Chamber directories may reflect different organizational arrangements over time
for some entities. This could lead to counting staff doing similar work in for some entities. This could lead to counting staff doing similar work in bothdifferent
years in different categories,years in different categories,75 or in different offices. or in different offices.8
 Random samples of House Member offices used to develop6 House Staffing House Data Collection House staff data covering the period 1977-2019 were developed based on an estimate of an estimate of
Member office staff staff working in Member offices, and a full count of staff listed in all non-Member congressional offices listed in each House telephone directory.7 In some years, the House published two directories. When that was the case, data were taken from the earlier publication. A full count of House Member offices would have exceeded available resources, and would have been unlikely to yield a significantly different result than that which would result from a count of staff working in a random sampling of Members’ offices. Since 1975, the House has limited the number of full-time staff working in a Member’s office to 18 permanent employees; in 1979 up to four employees who may work part time or other, limited circumstance, were authorized.8 As a consequence, among all congressional entities, House Member office staffing is the least likely to show a high degree of variability. For each year, 1977-2019, a random sample of 45 Member offices was drawn in proportion to the distribution of Member offices in the Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn House office buildings in 2014.9 Staff telephone data from those offices were 3 In some instances, a listing for a House entity would working in Washington, DC, and district offices in 1977-
2019, and discussed in greater detail below, may or may not be representative of

4 Other congressional documents list staff by organizational unit, most notably the quarterly Statement of
Disbursem ents issued by the House. At the same time, because they capture all paid staff activity for a three -month
period, those documents do not provide as clear a picture of staffing at one point in time as the tel ephone directories do.
5 In some instances, a listing for a House entity would not list staff. In other instances, there were significant changes in not list staff. In other instances, there were significant changes in
the number of staff from yearthe number of staff from year-to- to year, and it could not be determined whether that was a consequence of changing year, and it could not be determined whether that was a consequence of changing
organizational practices, or differences in the organizational practices, or differences in the manner in whichway staff were staff were included included in the directory.in the directory.
6 For example, some 4 Some staff may work on a part staff may work on a part -time basis for more than one Member, or for a Member and a committee. -time basis for more than one Member, or for a Member and a committee.
In the online version of the House In the online version of the House T elephoneTelephone Directory, some are listed as staff for a committee and one or more joint Directory, some are listed as staff for a committee and one or more joint
committees.committees.
7 For example, in In circumstances where staff were identified in multiple Member offices, committees, or leadership settings, they were counted once. This resulted in a reduction of approximately 250 staff per year after 2020. 5 In 1977, House Information Systems (HIS) staff were listed with staff from the Committee on House 1977, House Information Systems (HIS) staff were listed with staff from the Committee on House
Administration (CHA). In 2009, House Information Resources, the successorAdministration (CHA). In 2009, House Information Resources, the successor entity to HIS, wasentity to HIS, was listed as a component listed as a component
of the Office of the Chief of the Office of the Chief Administrat iveAdministrative Officer. In this instance, HIS staff listed under CHA Officer. In this instance, HIS staff listed under CHA are counted as Officer are counted as Officer
and Officials staff and Officials staff regardless regardless of their initial listing. of their initial listing.
86 For example, For example, a number ofseveral administrative activities now carried out by staff of the Chief Administrative Officer were administrative activities now carried out by staff of the Chief Administrative Officer were
previously overseen by the Committee on House Administration, House Clerk, or Sergeant at Arms. 7 Entities and staff that are not a part of the House, but were listed in the directory (including the Senate, other legislative branch entities, executive branch agencies, and vendors) are excluded from these data. 8 2 U.S.C. §5321. 9 Since 2014, the Cannon House Office Building has been undergoing a substantial renewal project that has displaced some Member offices. Due to these dislocations, the proportion of Member offices sampled 2015-2019 may not be directly comparable to samples collected 1977-2014. Congressional Research Service 2 link to page 12 link to page 10 link to page 13 link to page 7 House of Representatives Staff Levels, 1977-2023 previously overseen by the Committee on House Administration, House Clerk, or Sergeant at Arms.
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the entire population of House Member offices. The extent to which the sample is
representative of the population from which it is drawn wil determine the
accuracy of the estimated data for House Member offices. While it is unlikely
that a full count would yield significantly different results for those years, it is a
possibility.
House Staffing
House Data Collection
House staff data covering the period 1977-2019 were developed based on an estimate of staff
working in Member offices, and a full count of staff listed in al non-Member congressional
offices listed in each House telephone directory.9 In some years, the House published two
directories. When that happened, data were taken from the earlier publication.
A full count of House Member offices would have exceeded available resources, and would have
been unlikely to yield a significantly different result than that which would result from a count of
staff working in a random sampling of Members’ offices. Since 1975, the House has limited the
number of full-time staff working in a Member’s office to 18 permanent employees; in 1979 up to
four FTEs who may work part time were authorized.10 As a consequence, among al
congressional entities, House Member office staffing is the least likely to show a high degree of
variability. For each year, 1977-2019, a random sample of 45 Member offices was drawn in
proportion to the distribution of Member offices in the Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn House
office buildings in 2014.11 Staff telephone data from those offices were counted and assumed to counted and assumed to
be in Washington, DC, if they were listed as working in the Cannon, Longworth, or Rayburn be in Washington, DC, if they were listed as working in the Cannon, Longworth, or Rayburn
buildings, and outside of Washington, DC, if they were not.buildings, and outside of Washington, DC, if they were not.12 The average number of staff The average number of staff
working in Washington, DC, and in district offices was computed. Those data were multiplied by working in Washington, DC, and in district offices was computed. Those data were multiplied by
the number of Member the number of Member offices13offices10 to derive an estimate of the number of staff employed in personal to derive an estimate of the number of staff employed in personal
offices who work in House Member officesoffices who work in House Member offices.. Table 2 in in the the “Data Tables” section below provides section below provides
the computed averages from the sample data and the estimated House Member staff working in the computed averages from the sample data and the estimated House Member staff working in
Washington, DC, and district offices. Washington, DC, and district offices.
Member office data for 2020- Member office data for 2020-20212023 are based on a full count of are based on a full count of al all offices listed in the online offices listed in the online
House Telephone Directory. House Telephone Directory.
Committee data are based on a full count of Committee data are based on a full count of al all printed telephone directory listings for House printed telephone directory listings for House
standing, special, and select committees as described in individualstanding, special, and select committees as described in individual directory listings for 1977-directory listings for 1977-
2019, and in the online House Telephone Directory for 2020-2019, and in the online House Telephone Directory for 2020-20212023. The data also include associate staff of the Committees on the Budget, Rules, and Ways and Means where applicable. Table 3 provides staff levels in various House committees, 2014-2023.11 Data for leadership offices include a full count of staff working for Members in leadership positions. In 2023, these listings included the following: Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, . The data also include
associate staff of the Committees on the Budget, Rules, and Ways and Means where applicable,
and joint committee staff housed in House facilities. In the “Data Tables” section below, four

9 Entities and staff that are not a part of the House, but were listed in the directory (including the Senate, other
legislative branch entities, executive branch agencies, and vendors) are excluded from these data.
10 See CRS Report RL30064, Congressional Salaries and Allowances: In Brief, by Ida A. Brudnick for details.
11 Personal offices are not typically assigned in the Ford or O’Neill House Office Buildings. Since 2014, the Cannon
House Office Building has been undergoing a substantial renewal project that has displaced some Member offices. Due
to these dislocations, the proportion of Member offices sampled 2015 -2019 may not be directly comparable to samples
collected 1977-2014.
12 T he House telephone directory provides consistent five-digit listings for all House staff who work in Washington,
DC.
13 House Member offices includes Representatives, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner. T he number of House
Member offices was 439 in 1977-1978, 440 1979-2008, and 441, 2009-present.
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tables provide staff levels in various House committees. Joint committee staff data from the
House for panels that convened in the 117th Congress (2021-2022) are available in Table 8.
Data for leadership offices include a full count of staff working for Members in leadership
positions. In 2021, these listings included the following: Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority
Whip, Chief Deputy Majority Whip, Senior Chief Deputy Majority Whip, Assistant Speaker,
Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Democratic and Republican Cloakrooms. Other leadership Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Democratic and Republican Cloakrooms. Other leadership
positions included House Republican Conference, House Republican Policy Committee, House positions included House Republican Conference, House Republican Policy Committee, House
Republican Study Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee, House Democratic
Caucus, House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, and House Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee.
Republican Study Committee, and House Democratic Caucus. Data for chamber officers and other House officials include a full count of staff working for Data for chamber officers and other House officials include a full count of staff working for
House officers and officials. In House officers and officials. In 20212023, House officers included the Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Chief , House officers included the Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Chief
Administrative Officer, and Chaplain. Officials included staff in the offices of Parliamentarian, Administrative Officer, and Chaplain. Officials included staff in the offices of Parliamentarian,
Interparliamentary Affairs, Law Revision Counsel, Legislative Counsel, General Counsel, Interparliamentary Affairs, Law Revision Counsel, Legislative Counsel, General Counsel,
Inspector General, and House Historian. Inspector General, and House Historian.
Commissions data comprise the Commissions data comprise the smal estsmallest category of House data, and are based on a full count of category of House data, and are based on a full count of
those entities. In those entities. In 20212023, commissions data included staff working for the House Communications , commissions data included staff working for the House Communications
Standards Commission (HCSC; listed in the House Telephone Directory as the Commission on Standards Commission (HCSC; listed in the House Telephone Directory as the Commission on
Congressional MailingCongressional Mailing Standards and Standards and commonlysometimes known as the Franking Commission known as the Franking Commission; the entity
was renamed HCSC in 2020); the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (); the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (typical y
typically referred to as the Helsinki Commission); the Congressional-Executive Commission on the referred to as the Helsinki Commission); the Congressional-Executive Commission on the
People’s Republic of China; and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. People’s Republic of China; and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.
House Staff Data
Between 1977 and Between 1977 and 20212023, the number of House staff , the number of House staff overal overall grew from 8,831 to 9,grew from 8,831 to 9,034247, or , or 2.30%.
Since 2009, howeverby 4.71%. Since 2014, the number of staff working in the House has , the number of staff working in the House has decreased 14.00%. Staffing
levels have ranged from a low of 8,831 in 1977 to a peak of 10,004 in 2008. been flat with growth of 0.78%. The number of The number of
House staff across House staff across al all categories has grown by an average of categories has grown by an average of 59 individuals annually,12 or 0.15% individuals annual y,14 or 0.06%.
Change in House staff has been characterized by slight, but steady growth in two periods (1977-
1994, 12.01%; and 1996-2011, 14.89%), separated by a brief period of sharp decline (1994-1996,
-12.13%), and ending with another decrease (2011-2021, -9.53%). .
Figure 1 displays staff levels in five categories since 1977. These categories include staff displays staff levels in five categories since 1977. These categories include staff
working in the offices of working in the offices of
• Members, Members,
• committees, 10 House Member offices includes Representatives, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner. The number of House Member offices was 439 in 1977-1978, 440 in 1979-2008, and 441 in 2009-present. 11 Individual committee data since 1977 are available to congressional staff upon request. 12 Rounded committees,
 leadership,
 officers and officials, and
 commissions.
Table 1, in the “Data Tables” section below, provides detailed staff levels in those categories.

14 Rounded to reflect a whole number. to reflect a whole number.
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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021

Figure 1. House Staff Levels by Category, 1977-2021

Source: Annual House telephone directories, online House Telephone Directory, CRS estimates and
calculations.
Notes: House Member office data are estimates developed from a sample of 45 Member offices for each year,
1977-2019, multiplied by the number of Member offices. Member office data for 2020-2021, and al other
categories, 1977-202110 link to page 10 link to page 8 link to page 12 link to page 10 link to page 10 House of Representatives Staff Levels, 1977-2023 • leadership, • officers and officials, and • commissions. Figure 1 also provides the distribution of Congress staff by category in 2023. Table 1, in the “Data Tables” section below, provides detailed staff levels in those categories. Figure 1. House Staff Levels by Category, 1977-2023 Source: Annual House telephone directories, online House Telephone Directory, CRS estimates and calculations. Notes: House Member office data are estimates developed from a sample of 45 Member offices for each year, 1977-2019, multiplied by the number of Member offices. Member office data for 2020-2023, and al other categories, 1977-2023, are based on a ful count of directory listings. , are based on a ful count of directory listings.
House Member Offices
Staff levels in House Member offices have Staff levels in House Member offices have fal enincreased slightly from 6,556 in 1977 to 6, slightly from 6,556 in 1977 to 6,329 in 2021680 in 2023, or 1.89%. Since 2014, staff in Member offices have declined 0.49%, and they have declined 5.38% since 2004, or
3.46%. The level of staffing grew steadily from 1977 until peaking at 7,284 in 1994, and fal ing
10.74%, to 6,502, in 1995. Member staff increased between 1997 and 2011 in an uneven, but
general y upward pattern before reaching its highest level, 7,360, in 2009. Since 2009, Member
staff have decreased to 6,329, a 14.0% decline. .
Figure 2 displays the distribution of House Member staff between Washington, DC, and district displays the distribution of House Member staff between Washington, DC, and district
offices since 1977. From 1977 until 1994, more staff worked in Washington, DC, than in field
offices. Throughout that period, however, the number of staff assigned to district offices steadily
grew while Washington, DC-based staff moved in an uneven, but general y downward pattern.
Between 1994 and 2008, staff distribution between Washington, DC, facilities and district offices
varied narrowly, but staff were relatively evenly distributed in 2009-2011. Since 2011,
Washington-basedoffices for selected years since 1977. Since 2013, Member staff growth has been relatively flat, staff growth has been relatively flat, while the number of district staff has
fal en, and the average number of staff per Member office has and the average number of staff per Member office has declined from 17 to 14.15held steady at 15.13 Table 2
in the in the “Data Tables” section below provides the estimated House Member staff working in section below provides the estimated House Member staff working in
Washington, DC, Washington, DC, and district offices for selected years since 1977. 13and district offices since 1977-2019, the actual number for 2020-2021, and the
average number of staffers in a Member office.

15 Staff data are rounded to whole numbers. Staff data are rounded to whole numbers.
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Figure 2. Distribution of House Member Office Staff Since 1977

Source: Annual House telephone directories, online House Telephone Directory, CRS estimates and
calculations.
Notes: House Member office data are estimates developed from a sample of 45 Member offices for each year,
1977-2019, multiplied by the number of Member offices. Member office data for 2020-2021 are based on a ful
count of directory listings. House Member staff comprise approximately three-quarters of al House staff. This
proportion of overal staffing has been relatively steady since 1977, 2023 Source: Online House Telephone Directory, and CRS calculations. .
Committees
Committee staff levels have shown the greatest decline among House staff categories, decreasing Committee staff levels have shown the greatest decline among House staff categories, decreasing
30.20% since 1977. Change among House committee staff was characterized by a moderate
decline in 1977-1981 (-9.04%), steady growth from 1981 until 1992 (29.83%), a period of sharp
decline in 1992-1997 (-42.81%), a period of slow, unsteady growth from 1997 to 2010 (18.09%),
and another decline from 2011 to present (-4.35%). The 2021 level of 1,320 is 571 (-30.20%)
fewer than 1977 levels, and 913 (-40.89%) fewer than the 1992 peak of 2,233 staff.
Since 1977, committee staff have comprised a decreasing proportion of House staff, fal ing from
21.41% of House staff in 1977 to 14.61% in 2021.
In the “Data Tables” section below, four tables provide staff levels in various House committees.
38.13% since 1977. Since 2014, committee staff levels have fallen by 7.29%. Table 3 provides provides House committee data for 2014-2023.House committee data for 2007-2016; data for 1997-2006 are available in Table
5. Table 6 provides data for 1987-1996, and data for 1977-1986 are available in Table 7. Totals
for each year, which include joint committee staff listed in the House directory found in Table 8,
are presented in Table 1.
Leadership Offices
The actual number of staff in House leadership offices grew from 62 in 1977 to The actual number of staff in House leadership offices grew from 62 in 1977 to 238 in 2021,
peaking in 2011 at 241177 in 2023. This growth was relatively steady over time. As a proportion of House . This growth was relatively steady over time. As a proportion of House
staff, leadership employees comprised 0.70% in 1977, and staff, leadership employees comprised 0.70% in 1977, and 2.631.92% in % in 2021.
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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021

2023. Officers and Officials
Staff working in the offices of House officers and officials has grown Staff working in the offices of House officers and officials has grown 314.02339.11% since 1977. Staff % since 1977. Staff
levels grew steadily from 1977 to 1991, and then showed a one-year drop of 33.15%, from 537 in levels grew steadily from 1977 to 1991, and then showed a one-year drop of 33.15%, from 537 in
1992 to 359 in 1993. In 1994, staff levels returned to a level similar to 1992, and increased again 1992 to 359 in 1993. In 1994, staff levels returned to a level similar to 1992, and increased again
in 1995 to 818, a one-year increase of 57.01%. After dropping to 704 in 1996, levels began a in 1995 to 818, a one-year increase of 57.01%. After dropping to 704 in 1996, levels began a
steady increase to a peak of 1,056 in 2008, an increase of 50.00%, before steady increase to a peak of 1,056 in 2008, an increase of 50.00%, before fal ingfalling 8.96% to 946 in 8.96% to 946 in
2015. Since 2016, growth has been steady and peaked in 2015. Since 2016, growth has been steady and peaked in 20212022 at 1, at 1,122178. .
As a proportion of House staff, officers and officials As a proportion of House staff, officers and officials staff grew from 3.07% in 1977 to 12.42% in
2021comprise 12.88% of staff in 2023. .
Commissions
Congressional commission staff levels are Congressional commission staff levels are essential yessentially flat, and have ranged from a high of 51 in flat, and have ranged from a high of 51 in
1977 to a low of 19 in a number of years, most recently in 1977 to a low of 19 in a number of years, most recently in 2001. In 2021, 25 staff worked for
congressional commissions.16
2023. Congressional commissions have consistently comprised less than one-half of Congressional commissions have consistently comprised less than one-half of one percent of al
1% of all House staff. House staff.
Discussion
Since 1977, the number of staff working for the House has grownSince 1977, the number of staff working for the House has grown, though there has been a
decrease in recent years. Overal , there. There have been increases in the number of staff working in have been increases in the number of staff working in
chamber leadership offices, and larger increases in the staffing of chamber officers and officials. chamber leadership offices, and larger increases in the staffing of chamber officers and officials.
Staff have shifted from committee settings to leadership settings or the personal offices of Staff have shifted from committee settings to leadership settings or the personal offices of
Members. Some of these changes may be indicative of the growth of the House as an institution, Members. Some of these changes may be indicative of the growth of the House as an institution,
increased reliance on increased reliance on central ycentrally provided technical services (including information technology, provided technical services (including information technology,
legislative legislative drafting, and physical and digitaldrafting, and physical and digital security), or the value the chamber places on its security), or the value the chamber places on its
various activities.
One example that may be an indication of institutional development arguably is found in the
growth of the number and percentage of staff working in leadership and officers and officials
offices, even though that growth has slowed recently. A potential explanation for these changes
may be found in what some might characterize as an ongoing professionalization and
institutionalization of congressional management and administration. Some note that as
organizations such as governing institutions develop, they identify needs for expertise and
develop specialized practices and processes.17 In Congress, some of those areas of specialization
arguably include supporting the legislative process through the drafting of measures; oversight
and support of floor activities; the management of legislation in a bicameral, partisan
environment; and increased demand to secure information and physical infrastructures that
support legislative activities.
Another potential explanation related to a more institutionalized, professionalized Congress could
be the demands for professional management and support. This could arise as a result of

16 For more information on congressional commissions, see CRS Report R40076, Congressional Commissions:
Overview and Considerations for Congress, by Jacob R. Straus; and CRS Report RL33313, Congressional
Mem bership and Appointm ent Authority to Advisory Com m issions, Boards, and Groups, by Jacob R. Straus.
17 See, for example, Nelson W. Polsby, “T he Institutionalization of the U.S. House of Representatives,” The American
Political Science Review, vol. 62, no. 1 (March 1968), pp. 144 -168.
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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021

congressional use of communications technologies, and the deployment of systematic , centralized
professional human resources processes, business operations, and financial management.
Consequently, increased specialized support of congressional legislative and administrative
activities may explain increases among staff working for chamber leaders, and officers and
officials.18
In another example, the distribution of staff working directly for Members has shifted from
committee settings to personal office settings. House committee staff has decreased. This may
represent a shift from collective congressional activities typical y carried out in committees
(including legislative, oversight, and investigative work) to individualized activities typical y
various activities. The distribution of staff working directly for Members has shifted from committee settings to personal office settings. House committee staff has decreased. This may represent a shift from collective congressional activities typically carried out in committees (including legislative, Congressional Research Service 5 House of Representatives Staff Levels, 1977-2023 oversight, and investigative work) to individualized activities typically carried out in Members’ personal offices (including direct representational activities, constituent carried out in Members’ personal offices (including direct representational activities, constituent
service and education, and political activity).service and education, and political activity).19


18 For background on leadership offices, see CRS Report RS20881, Party Leaders in the House: Election, Duties, and
Responsibilities, by Valerie Heitshusen and CRS Report 97-780, The Speaker of the House: House Officer, Party
Leader, and Representative, by Valerie Heitshusen; for background on support offices, see CRS Report RL33220,
Support Offices in the House of Representatives: Roles and Authorities, by Ida A. Brudnick.
19 See CRS Report RL33686, Roles and Duties of a Member of Congress: Brief Overview, by R. Eric Petersen; CRS
Report RL34035, Grants Work in a Congressional Office, by Maria Kreiser; and CRS Report RL33209, Casework in a
Congressional Office: Background, Rules, Laws, and Resources, by R. Eric Petersen and Sarah J. Eckman .
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Data Tables
Table 1. House of Representatives Staff Levels by Category, 1997-20211977-2023
Year
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
House Member Office House Member Office
6,556 6,556
6,614 6,614
6,737 6,737
6,913 6,913
6,844 6,844
6,884 6,884
6,786 6,786
7,050 7,050
6,737 6,737
6,942 6,942
Committee Committee
1,891 1,891
2,067 2,067
1,861 1,861
1,991 1,991
1,720 1,720
1,851 1,851
1,867 1,867
1,974 1,974
1,997 1,997
1,980 1,980
Leadership Leadership
62 62
69 69
65 65
79 79
58 58
71 71
64 64
65 65
66 66
63 63
Officers Officers and Officials and Officials
271 271
329 329
357 357
337 337
434 434
437 437
436 436
444 444
445 445
424 424
Commissions Commissions
51 51
23 23
25 25
21 21
19 19
22 22
23 23
23 23
22 22
19 19
Totals Totals
8,831 8,831
9,102 9,102
9,045 9,045
9,341 9,341
9,075 9,075
9,265 9,265
9,176 9,176
9,556 9,556
9,267 9,267
9,428 9,428
Year
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
House Member Office House Member Office
6,512 6,512
6,864 6,864
6,786 6,786
6,717 6,717
6,825 6,825
6,932 6,932
7,040 7,040
7,284 7,284
6,502 6,502
6,532 6,532
Committee Committee
2,025 2,025
2,062 2,062
2,062 2,062
2,088 2,088
2,098 2,098
2,233 2,233
1,950 1,950
1,947 1,947
1,258 1,258
1,306 1,306
Leadership Leadership
93 93
95 95
88 88
101 101
107 107
106 106
107 107
112 112
125 125
128 128
Officers Officers and Officials and Officials
434 434
457 457
475 475
495 495
501 501
537 537
359 359
521 521
818 818
704 704
Commissions Commissions
19 19
22 22
36 36
35 35
29 29
28 28
28 28
27 27
21 21
22 22
Totals Totals
9,083 9,083
9,500 9,500
9,447 9,447
9,436 9,436
9,560 9,560
9,836 9,836
9,484 9,484
9,891 9,891
8,724 8,724
8,692 8,692
Year
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
House Member Office House Member Office
6,893 6,893
6,972 6,972
6,835 6,835
6,737 6,737
7,108 7,108
7,079 7,079
6,737 6,737
7,060 7,060
7,020 7,020
7,089 7,089
Committee Committee
1,277 1,277
1,361 1,361
1,311 1,311
1,334 1,334
1,295 1,295
1,321 1,321
1,328 1,328
1,399 1,399
1,379 1,379
1,370 1,370
Leadership Leadership
132 132
160 160
159 159
165 165
177 177
173 173
179 179
203 203
192 192
190 190
Officers Officers and Officials and Officials
733 733
737 737
723 723
738 738
750 750
787 787
832 832
861 861
896 896
884 884
Commissions Commissions
21 21
21 21
22 22
20 20
19 19
29 29
36 36
33 33
34 34
35 35
Totals Totals
9,056 9,056
9,251 9,251
9,050 9,050
8,994 8,994
9,349 9,349
9,389 9,389
9,112 9,112
9,556 9,556
9,521 9,521
9,568 9,568
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Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
House Member Office House Member Office
7,011 7,011
7,226 7,226
7,360 7,360
7,213 7,213
7,330 7,330
7,272 7,272
6,782 6,782
6,713 6,713
6,674 6,674
6,880 6,880
Committee Committee
1,426 1,426
1,472 1,472
1,362 1,362
1,508 1,508
1,380 1,380
1,381 1,381
1,309 1,309
1,262 1,262
1,255 1,255
1,298 1,298
Leadership Leadership
207 207
214 214
219 219
228 228
241 241
236 236
205 205
214 214
212 212
239 239
Officers Officers and Officials and Officials
1,040 1,040
1,056 1,056
828 828
878 878
993 993
1,002 1,002
1,052 1,052
949 949
946 946
962 962
Commissions Commissions
34 34
36 36
39 39
40 40
41 41
41 41
38 38
37 37
40 40
41 41
Totals Totals
9,718 9,718
10,004 10,004
9,808 9,808
9,867 9,867
9,985 9,985
9,932 9,932
9,386 9,386
9,175 9,175
9,127 9,127
9,420 9,420
Year
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021


2022 2023


House Member Office House Member Office
6,713 6,713
6,586 6,586
6,675 6,675
6,491 6,491
6,329 6,329


6,585 6,680


Committee Committee
1,263 1,263
1,269 1,269
1,229 1,229
1,290 1,290
1,320 1,320


1,178 1,170


Leadership Leadership
224 224
236 236
230 230
223 223
238 238


221 188


Officers Officers and Officials and Officials
1,007 1,007
997 997
1,057 1,057
1,085 1,085
1,122 1,122


1,122 1,190


Commissions Commissions
40 40
38 38
38 38
24 24
25 25


22 19


Totals Totals
9,247 9,247
9,126 9,126
9,229 9,229
9,113 9,113
9,034 9,034


9,128 9,247


Source: House telephone directories,House telephone directories, CRS estimatesCRS estimates and calculations. and calculations.
Notes: House Member office data, 1977-2019, are estimatesHouse Member office data, 1977-2019, are estimates developed from a sample of 45 Member offices for each year, multiplieddeveloped from a sample of 45 Member offices for each year, multiplied by the number of Member offices. by the number of Member offices.
Member office data for 2020-Member office data for 2020-20212023, and , and al all other categories,other categories, 1977-1977-20212023, are based on a ful count of directory listings. , are based on a ful count of directory listings.

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Table 2. Staff Working in House Member Offices, Selected Years Since 1977
Estimated, 1977-2019 Estimated, 1977-2019, Ful ; Full Count, 2020-Count, 2020-20212023

AveragesAverage Per Office

Member Staff
DC District
Member
Member
District
All Member
Year
DC Staff
Staff
Staff
Offices
DC Staff
Staff
Staff
1977
9.49
5.44
14.93
439
4,166
2,390
6,556
1978
9.80
5.27
15.07
439
4,302
2,312
6,614
1979
9.18
6.13
15.31
440
4,038
2,699
6,737
1980
9.42
6.29
15.71
440
4,146
2,767
6,913
1981
8.76
6.80
15.56
440
3,852
2,992
6,844
1982
9.02
6.62
15.64
440
3,970
2,914
6,884
1983
9.09
6.33
15.42
440
3,999
2,787
6,786
1984
9.36
6.67
16.02
440
4,116
2,933
7,050
1985
8.40
6.91
15.31
440
3,696
3,041
6,737
1986
8.87
6.91
15.78
440
3,901
3,041
6,942
1987
7.98
6.82
14.80
440
3,510
3,002
6,512
1988
8.73
6.87
15.60
440
3,843
3,021
6,864
1989
8.40
7.02
15.42
440
3,696
3,090
6,786
1990
7.96
7.31
15.27
440
3,500
3,217
6,717
1991
8.16
7.36
15.51
440
3,588
3,236
6,825
1992
8.51
7.24
15.76
440
3,745
3,188
6,932
1993
8.40
7.60
16.00
440
3,696
3,344
7,040
1994
8.24
8.31
16.56
440
3,628
3,657
7,284
1995
7.60
7.18
14.78
440
3,344
3,158
6,502
1996
7.82
7.02
14.84
440
3,442
3,090
6,532
1997
8.51
7.16
15.67
440
3,745
3,148
6,893
1998
7.84
8.00
15.84
440
3,452
3,520
6,972
1999
7.82
7.71
15.53
440
3,442
3,393
6,835
2000
7.93
7.38
15.31
440
3,491
3,246
6,737
2001
7.98
8.18
16.16
440
3,510
3,598
7,108
2002
8.11
7.98
16.09
440
3,569
3,510
7,079
2003
7.98
7.33
15.31
440
3,510
3,227
6,737
2004
7.93
8.11
16.04
440
3,491
3,569
7,060
2005
8.09
7.87
15.96
440
3,559
3,461
7,020
2006
8.42
7.69
16.11
440
3,706
3,383
7,089
2007
8.33
7.60
15.93
440
3,667
3,344
7,011
2008
8.20
8.22
16.42
440
3,608
3,618
7,226
2009
8.44
8.24
16.69
441
3,724
3,636
7,360
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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021


Averages Per Office

Member Staff
District
Member
Member
District
All Member
Year
DC Staff
Staff
Staff
Offices
DC Staff
Staff
Staff
2010
8.22
8.13
16.36
441
3,626
3,587
7,213
2011
8.33
8.29
16.62
441
3,675
3,655
7,330
2012
8.31
8.18
16.49
441
3,655
3,606
7,272
2013
8.29
7.09
15.38
441
3,655
3,126
6,782
2014
8.38
6.84
15.22
441
3,695
3,018
6,713
2015
8.18
6.96
15.13
441
3,606
3,067
6,674
2016
8.38
7.22
15.60
441
3,695
3,185
6,880
2017
8.07
7.16
15.22
441
3,557
3,156
6,713
2018
8.09
6.84
14.93
441
3,567
3,018
6,586
2019
8.34
6.80
15.14
441
3,678
2,997
6,675
2020
7.93
6.79
14.72
441
3,495
2,996
6,491
2021
7.64
6.71
14.35
441
3,368
2,961
6,329
Source: House telephone directories, various years, CRS calculations.
Notes: Data for 1977-2019 are based on a random sample of 45 Member Staff Staff Staff Offices DC Staff Staff Staff 1977 9.49 5.44 14.93 439 4,166 2,390 6,556 1984 9.36 6.67 16.02 440 4,116 2,933 7,050 1994 8.24 8.31 16.56 440 3,628 3,657 7,284 2004 7.93 8.11 16.04 440 3,491 3,569 7,060 Most Recent 10 Years 2014 8.38 6.84 15.22 441 3,695 3,018 6,713 2015 8.18 6.96 15.13 441 3,606 3,067 6,674 2016 8.38 7.22 15.60 441 3,695 3,185 6,880 2017 8.07 7.16 15.22 441 3,557 3,156 6,713 2018 8.09 6.84 14.93 441 3,567 3,018 6,586 2019 8.34 6.80 15.14 441 3,678 2,997 6,675 2020 7.93 6.79 14.72 441 3,495 2,996 6,491 2021 7.64 6.71 14.35 441 3,368 2,961 6,329 2022 8.23 6.70 14.93 441 3,631 2,954 6,585 2023 8.41 6.74 15.15 441 3,707 2,973 6,680 Source: House telephone directories, various years, CRS calculations. Notes: Data for 1977-2019 are based on a random sample of 45 Member offices drawn in proportion to the offices drawn in proportion to the
distribution of Member offices in the Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn House Office Buildings. Staff telephone distribution of Member offices in the Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn House Office Buildings. Staff telephone
data from those offices were counted and assumed to be in Washington, DC, if they weredata from those offices were counted and assumed to be in Washington, DC, if they were listed as working in listed as working in
the Cannon, Longworth, or Rayburn Buildings, and outside of Washington, DC, if they werethe Cannon, Longworth, or Rayburn Buildings, and outside of Washington, DC, if they were not. Averagesnot. Averages data data
were multipliedwere multiplied by the number of Memberby the number of Member offices to deriveoffices to derive an estimatean estimate of the number of staff employedof the number of staff employed in in
personal offices.personal offices. Data for 2020-Data for 2020-20212023 are based on a ful count of the online House Telephone Directory. are based on a ful count of the online House Telephone Directory. Due to Due to
rounding, rows might not sum. rounding, rows might not sum.
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Table 3. House Committee Staff, 2017-20212014-2023
Committee
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Agriculture
37
40
39
44
40
Appropriations
123
115
132
136
139
Armed Services
43
34
37
63
63
Budget
59
62
55
33
35
Education and Labor
60
62
66
66
65
Energy and Commerce
93
103
58
93
100
Ethics
24
27
27
27
21
Financial Services
72
65
55
60
63
Foreign Affairs
29
35
42
71
78
Homeland Security
60
57
50
50
61
House Administration
36
37
35
37
44
Judiciary
57
60
63
67
62
Natural Resources
57
61
58
67
60
Oversight and Reform
82
82
58
82
93
Rules
22
22
24
25
24
Science and Technology
51
35
54
43
44
Smal Business
23
24
23
25
23
Transportation and Infrastructure
72
65
51
66
67
Veterans’ Affairs
26
34
33
39
33
Ways and Means
68
64
77
77
80
Intel igence
29
35
42
39
32
Select Energy Independence & Global Warming
51
-
35
-
-
Climate Crisis
-
-
11
11
13
Select Modernization
-
-
-
-
7
Source: House telephone directories.
Notes: Committees are listed by names used in the 117th Congress, or most recent year in which the
committee existed. “-” indicates that no staff were listed for that year. In some instances this was because the
committee did not exist. In other instances, a directory listing for a panel was identified but did not list any staff.


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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021

Table 4. House Committee Staff, 2007-2016
Committee
2007
2008
2009
2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016
Agriculture
45
45
45
46
43
43
22
34
37
37
Appropriations
158
154
130
157
117
117
114
118
125
119
Armed Services
67
65
67
65
64
64
62
58
61
59
Budget
72
73
73
73
81
81
75
43
36
44
Education and Labor
72
78
76
74
55
55
61
58
58
63
Energy and Commerce
79
104
96
111
104
103
97
96
92
109
Ethics
16
16
14
20
16
16
24
24
25
27
Financial Services
62
63
62
74
64
64
59
55
54
57
Foreign Affairs
81
78
80
83
80
80
75
67
72
72
Homeland Security
63
62
62
67
64
64
63
62
56
59
House Administration
38
43
41
41
44
44
34
32
37
37
Judiciary
70
75
70
71
70
70
63
65
65
59
Natural Resources
67
71
61
57
53
53
58
57
60
60
Oversight and Reform
106
100
71
100
110
113
93
98
83
88
Rules
34
35
37
39
33
33
33
32
34
22
Science and Technology
50
50
54
52
50
50
55
48
52
51
Smal Business
28
25
26
30
26
26
24
24
21
21
Transportation and
76
77
82
85
67
67
67
64
69
71
Infrastructure
Veterans’ Affairs
33
32
32
30
26
26
25
26
27
33
Ways and Means
64
71
69
71
77
76
70
69
68
60
Intel igence
39
36
32
35
27
27
30
31
24
26
Select Energy
13
20
23
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
Independence & Global
Select Benghazi
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
18
Warming
Source: House telephone directories.
Notes: Committees are listed by names used in the 117th Congress, or the most recent year in which the
committee existed. “-” indicates that no staff were listed for that year. In some instances this was because the
committee did not exist. In other instances, a directory listing for a panel was identified but did not list any staff.
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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021

Table 5. House Committee Staff, 1997-2006
Committee
1997 1998
1999 2000 2001 2002
2003 2004 2005 2006
Agriculture
55
54
53
51
56
56
53
55
50
53
Appropriations
151
151
138
150
152
161
122
133
133
134
Armed Services
53
53
55
52
48
49
55
52
56
60
Budget
68
78
87
86
79
84
91
87
87
80
Education and Labor
72
92
76
70
67
66
69
72
75
64
Energy and Commerce
82
86
83
84
86
93
92
90
89
82
Ethics
8
11
12
11
13
13
11
11
9
13
Financial Services
51
54
51
49
58
60
63
63
62
59
Foreign Affairs
63
65
64
63
67
67
69
73
76
80
Homeland Security
-
-
-
-
-
-
17
44
38
51
House Administration
29
27
28
32
37
35
38
41
38
38
Judiciary
54
62
61
70
68
70
77
73
73
73
Natural Resources
57
62
56
62
60
64
64
64
63
62
Oversight and Reform
94
132
116
105
107
101
94
110
100
96
Rules
36
41
34
36
31
33
36
36
36
37
Science and Technology
55
53
52
52
50
53
47
53
53
47
Smal Business
27
25
27
28
23
23
29
30
33
30
Transportation and
116
121
119
124
73
73
73
75
76
78
Infrastructure
Veterans’ Affairs
28
15
20
28
28
26
30
29
27
28
Ways and Means
64
60
66
64
69
70
69
71
74
72
Intel igence
23
24
24
22
28
31
26
32
29
36
Military and Commercial
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Concerns with China
Source: House telephone directories.
Notes: Committees are listed by names used in the 117th Congress, or the most recent year in which the
committee existed. “-” indicates that no staff were listed for that year. In some instances this was because the
committee did not exist. In other instances, a directory listing for a panel was identified but did not list any staff.
Congressional Research Service

15

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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021

Table 6. House Committee Staff, 1987-1996
Committee
1987 1988
1989 1990 1991
1992
1993
1994 1995
1996
Agriculture
55
59
54
63
59
61
55
55
57
58
Appropriations
205
207
206
205
217
223
219
215
148
149
Armed Services
62
62
64
70
73
87
66
75
46
50
Budget
104
103
106
97
92
97
90
93
72
72
Education and Labor
110
113
111
110
100
112
97
100
67
70
Energy and Commerce
135
147
142
135
139
162
143
140
69
67
Ethics
10
10
9
8
11
8
8
8
7
9
Financial Services
85
85
93
98
101
107
88
94
51
55
Foreign Affairs
93
97
99
98
102
102
104
100
60
64
House Administration
46
44
49
54
59
58
49
53
-
-
Judiciary
76
81
80
73
67
73
74
70
25
27
Natural Resources
103
100
100
100
107
121
101
89
50
56
Oversight and Reform
75
75
71
85
88
99
83
83
75
84
Rules
39
38
40
39
41
42
41
41
77
94
Science and Technology
76
79
77
92
93
102
93
92
36
36
Smal Business
56
52
47
49
41
45
32
36
51
54
Transportation and
109
126
139
132
142
150
144
137
27
27
Infrastructure
Veterans’ Affairs
36
39
33
34
37
39
44
40
119
119
Ways and Means
79
86
85
87
94
96
92
92
25
28
Intel igence
29
31
34
36
21
25
24
25
61
65
Aging
33
35
36
34
36
38
-
-
20
24
Children, Youth and Families
17
17
15
18
16
15
-
-
-
-
District of Columbia
39
38
38
39
38
34
23
34
13
-
Hunger
14
15
15
14
15
16
-
-
-
-
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
78
81
84
83
86
81
75
73
-
-
Narcotics
16
17
18
16
17
15
-
-
-
-
Organization of Congress
-
-
-
-
-
-
13
-
-
-
Post Office and Civil Service
92
97
92
92
85
92
68
80
-
-
Source: House telephone directories.
Notes: Committees are listed by names used in the 117th Congress, or the most recent year in which the
committee existed. “-” indicates that no staff were listed for that year. In some instances this was because the
committee did not exist. In other instances, a directory listing for a panel was identified but did not list any staff.

Congressional Research Service

16

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Table 7. House Committee Staff, 1977-1986
Committee
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
Agriculture
50
55
58
69
62
56
60
55
58
56
Appropriations
76
134
129
133
122
142
143
166
183
204
Armed Services
48
49
48
46
49
48
51
54
58
59
Budget
111
78
82
96
80
97
95
94
100
100
Education and Labor
103
106
102
119
105
112
109
113
102
106
Energy and Commerce
136
143
135
156
122
147
147
152
144
138
Ethics
35
35
11
17
9
9
7
10
9
9
Financial Services
102
106
102
94
77
81
92
88
89
84
Foreign Affairs
85
99
84
81
81
85
84
85
91
93
House Administration
41
47
50
60
44
46
48
50
47
49
Judiciary
86
83
83
80
76
72
78
84
85
81
Natural Resources
103
107
103
105
91
103
110
107
95
98
Oversight and Reform
125
80
73
82
78
80
79
85
87
84
Rules
24
25
34
47
48
43
44
44
41
37
Science and Technology
77
85
86
87
58
73
77
73
84
76
Smal Business
40
43
40
54
46
56
53
49
51
49
Transportation and Infrastructure
85
86
80
78
82
98
99
102
100
100
Veterans’ Affairs
33
37
33
33
32
34
30
32
31
32
Ways and Means
87
90
90
89
82
84
84
85
91
85
Intel igence
3
38
35
40
36
32
30
27
32
27
Aging
35
36
36
38
35
38
33
37
35
37
Assassinations
96
118
-
-
-
-
-
-
18
16
Children, Youth and Families
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
17
42
39
CRS-17

---

Committee
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
Committees
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
14
15
Congressional Operations
34
33
-
-
-
-
-
-
84
75
Covert Arms Sales to Iran
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14
17
District of Columbia
44
45
33
50
38
38
39
42
-
-
Ethics
9
6
-
-
-
-
-
-
89
92
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
64
69
86
91
80
84
78
89
-
-
Narcotics
26
27
25
22
-
15
17
21
-
-
Outer Continental Shelf
20
-
17
17
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post Office and Civil Service
55
70
66
65
67
57
55
89
-
-
Source: House telephone directories.
Notes: Committees are listed by names used in the 117th Congress, or the most recent year in which the committee existed. “-” indicates that no staff were listed for
that year. In some instances this was because the committee did not exist. In other instances, a directory listing for a panel was identified but did not list any staff.

CRS-18

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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021

Table 8. Staff of Active Joint Committees Listed in House Directories, 1977-2021
Joint Committee
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
Economic
4
50
55
62
44
44
42
44
40
36
Library
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
Printing
3
16
17
16
14
15
16
17
17
17
Taxation
28
65
63
62
60
60
60
60
66
66
Joint Committee
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
Economic
34
44
46
42
38
40
32
33
33
30
Library
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
Printing
18
18
14
16
15
18
18
16
7
7
Taxation
60
64
63
67
66
73
72
71
61
59
Joint Committee
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Economic
24
25
22
31
34
29
34
36
31
33
Library
59
3
2
2
1
1
4
2
2
2
Printing
8
8
2
2
1
1
4
4
4
4
Taxation
-
59
61
60
59
62
61
63
65
58
Joint Committee
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Economic
29
32
7
35
34
34
29
32
30
33
Library
2
2
-
2
6
6
5
5
2
5
Printing
4
4
-
5
6
6
6
5
3
5
Taxation
58
61
52
65
63
63
65
69
64
63
Joint Committee
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021





Economic
39
33
25
5
2





Library
3
-
-
-
2





Printing
3
2
4
-
-





Taxation
67
62
60
65
67





Source: House telephone directories.
Notes: Individual staff members for the joint committees may appear in both House and Senate directories, as
they are considered neither solely House nor Senate staff. They are included where they appear in the directory.
Excludes staff listed at various times since 1977 for the Joint Committees on Inaugural Ceremonies, Atomic
Energy, Defense Production, Internal Revenue Service, and Organization of Congress. Staff data for those panels
are available to congressional clients from the author upon request. “-” indicates that no staff were listed in the
relevant chamber for that year. In some instances, a directory listing for a panel was identified, but did not list
any staff.

Congressional Research Service

19

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House Staff Levels, 1977-2021


Author Information

R. Eric Petersen

Specialist in American National Government


Acknowledgments
Amber Hope Wilhelm, Visual Information Specialist, created the visualizations in a prior version of this
report. 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Agriculture 34 37 37 37 40 39 44 40 39 40 Appropriations 118 125 119 123 115 132 136 139 128 137 Armed Services 58 61 59 43 34 37 63 63 65 56 Budget 43 36 44 59 62 55 33 35 36 33 Education and Labor 58 58 63 60 62 66 66 65 60 56 Energy and Commerce 96 92 109 93 103 58 93 100 92 88 Ethics 24 25 27 24 27 27 27 21 23 25 Financial Services 55 54 57 72 65 55 60 63 49 65 Foreign Affairs 67 72 72 29 35 42 71 78 78 71 Homeland Security 62 56 59 60 57 50 50 61 59 63 House Administration 32 37 37 36 37 35 37 44 40 45 Judiciary 65 65 59 57 60 63 67 62 62 70 Natural Resources 57 60 60 57 61 58 67 60 59 50 Oversight and Reform 98 83 88 82 82 58 82 93 99 85 Rules 32 34 22 22 22 24 25 24 20 23 Science and Technology 48 52 51 51 35 54 43 44 44 44 Small Business 24 21 21 23 24 23 25 23 24 19 Transportation and 64 69 71 72 65 51 66 67 74 63 Infrastructure Veterans’ Affairs 26 27 33 26 34 33 39 33 34 33 Ways and Means 69 68 60 68 64 77 77 80 74 63 Intelligence 31 24 26 29 35 42 39 32 32 35 Energy Independence & 51 - 35 - - - - Global Warming Benghazi - - 18 - - - - - - - Climate Crisis - - - - - 11 11 13 - - Modernization - - - - - - - 7 - - Source: House telephone directories. Notes: Committees are listed by names used in the 118th Congress, or most recent year in which the committee existed. “-” indicates that no staff were listed for that year. In some instances, this was because the committee did not exist. In other instances, a directory listing for a panel was identified but did not list any staff. Congressional Research Service 10 House of Representatives Staff Levels, 1977-2023 Author Information R. Eric Petersen Specialist in American National Government Acknowledgments Lara Chausow, former Research Assistant, was a coauthor of this report and collected some of the Lara Chausow, former Research Assistant, was a coauthor of this report and collected some of the
data provided. data provided.

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Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
R43947 R43947 · VERSION 710 · UPDATED
2011

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