Pentagon Centralizes Congressional Communications
ISTANBUL – The Pentagon has directed that all communication between the Defense Department and Congress must go through its central legislative affairs office, according to Breaking Defense.
On October 15, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg issued a directive requiring department personnel, except those in the inspector general’s office, to coordinate with the assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs for all congressional interactions. This also includes communications with state-level elected officials.
The policy applies to congressional reports, information requests, technical support, drafting assistance, and legislative correspondence. Hegseth and Feinberg emphasized that unauthorized contact with Congress, even if well-intentioned, could disrupt department-wide priorities and hinder the achievement of legislative goals.
The new guidance does not change the authority of the Pentagon comptroller or the general counsel. Additionally, service members and department employees retain their whistleblower protections and other legal rights when communicating with Congress.
The Pentagon has not yet issued an official response to the report.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE