The Senate has 100 members, two from each state, who are up for re-election every six years. The House is the larger body, whose members represent 435 congressional districts, which are distributed across states based on population during the most recent census House members are up for re-election every two years. Senate (the Senate) debate and vote on legislation, including legislation related to global health, among other activities. House of Representatives (the House) and the U.S. This work is supported by a cadre of congressional staff as well as legislative branch agencies and offices (e.g., the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Congressional Research Service (CRS)). Senate – and their members, committees, and caucuses. StructureĬongressional engagement in global health is carried out by the two chambers of Congress – the U.S. Finally, it discusses opportunities and challenges related to congressional engagement in global health going forward. It then illustrates these by examining selected legislative activities for two global health examples: the creation and evolution of PEPFAR and the 2014/2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. global health programs to engaging in program oversight and confirming presidential appointees to lead these efforts. First, it examines the structure of Congress and its role and key activities in global health, which range from authorizing the creation of and providing funding for U.S. To help shed light on Congress’ role in global health, this primer provides an overview of its engagement in this area, aiming to provide a basic framework with which congressional efforts may be understood. Such stakeholders include: advocates, the private sector, think tanks, academic institutions, religious communities and organizations, people directly affected by global health issues (such as people living with HIV), and others. Its activities in this area are complemented and influenced to varying degrees by those of numerous stakeholder groups and individuals that, while not examined in this primer, are key actors in the policymaking process. global health programs, determining their funding levels, and overseeing the implementation and effectiveness of supported efforts. global health policy by setting the broad parameters and priorities of U.S. Indeed, Congress fulfills a key role in U.S. support for global health security and pandemic preparedness and response efforts. response to recent global health emergencies, including Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 as well as increasing U.S. It has also played a key role in the U.S. government’s coordinated response to global HIV and the largest program focused on a single global health issue in the world, as well as the appropriation of significantly increased funding. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S.
global health efforts and resulted in the authorization of the U.S. Although only one of many USG entities involved in global health, its engagement has been particularly notable over the last 20 years, which have been marked by unprecedented bipartisan support for U.S.
government (USG), plays an important role in determining and shaping the government’s global health policy and programs. Congress, the legislative body of the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, appointed U.S.The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, diedĪppointed U.S. Interruptions in service (for total tenure categories) Served in the Senate (for combined categories) Served in the House (for combined categories) Senators over representatives (for House and Senate lists).Achieved time uninterrupted (for total tenure ranks).In cases where there is a tie in time, the following criteria will sort people higher:
This list of members of the United States Congress by longevity of service includes representatives and senators who have served for at least 36 years, in the House, the Senate, or both combined.