In addition to the staff of members and committees, several large agencies are part of the legislative branch of the federal government. The General Accounting Office (GAO) assists Congress by investigating how executive branch agencies handle federal funds. The Congressional Budget Office helps Congress assess the President' annual budget requests and estimates the cost of all bills reported out of committee. The Library of Congress provides a vast amount of reference and research materials for the Congress, both through its general collections and through the work of the Congressional Research Service. The Office of Technology Assessment analyzes scientific and technological policy issues for Congress. The Government Printing Office publishes the Congressional Record, hearing transcripts, and reports of Congress. It also publishes government documents for the executive and judicial branches. These agencies have nonpartisan, professional staffs who are all included in the legislative branch payroll.
see also Congressional Budget Office; Congressional Research Service; Library of Congress
