The  Department of State  is a Cabinet level department that operates under the Executive Branch of the government. The U.S. Congress is the Legislative Branch, elected by and answerable to the American people. The Constitution authorizes Congress to oversee but not establish U.S.   foreign policy , except by law and approval of war and treaties. In that capacity, Congressional committees question Department officials about matters of   foreign policy , internal operations and other subjects as it sees fit. 

The Department’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs facilitates effective communication between State Department officials and the Members of Congress and their staffs. They work closely with authorizing, appropriations, and oversight committees of the House and Senate, as well as with individual Members who express interest in Department or   foreign policy  issues. Legislative Affairs helps prepare State Department officials to testify before House or Senate panels, organizes briefings for Members of Congress and their staffs, and coordinates Congressional travel to overseas posts for direct information gathering.