Congressional Affairs at CSIS

As a bipartisan think tank, CSIS strives to provide a platform for leaders in Congress to engage with the broader policy community on issues affecting U.S. national security and foreign affairs.

Expert Support for Congress

For more than 50 years, CSIS has prioritized outreach to Members of Congress and their staff to provide in-depth, strategic analysis and guidance from the world’s leading experts in defense and security policy, global challenges, and regional studies. More recently, CSIS has also prioritized outreach on issues related to economic security and technology.

Through speaking events, topical briefing series, participation in policy conferences, and membership on commissions and task forces, CSIS helps leaders in Congress effectively engage the broader policy community.

CSIS’s expertise in providing grounded, actionable, and bipartisan policy solutions uniquely positions CSIS to help Congress address the national security, development, and foreign policy challenges facing the United States.

CSIS Provides:

  • A bipartisan platform from which members of Congress can powerfully engage the wider policy community
  • In-office briefings from top policy experts with government, academic, and field experience
  • Staff-focused policy discussions
  • Hill briefs, short digests of key issues for congressional staff
  • Commentaries, Critical Questions, and other timely analysis on current issues
  • In-depth reports with realistic policy recommendations
  • Testimony
  • Opportunities for Members and staff to participate in CSIS events, projects, and initiatives

Are you a congressional staff wanting to contact a CSIS expert? Are you interested in CSIS public or private events for Members of Congress and staff? Connect with our team!

Chloe Himmel

Chloe Himmel

Director, Congressional and Government Affairs
Christian Hyde

Christian Hyde

Associate Director, Congressional and Government Affairs
Daniel Bengard

Dylan Bengard

Program Manager, Congressional and Government Affairs

Featured Testimony

All Congressional Affairs at CSIS Content

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Energy Leverage in the Russia-Ukraine War

The CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program will host a dialogue with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to discuss the intersection of energy and foreign policy in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Event — November 19, 2025

Deterrence on NATO’s Eastern Flank

Russian sabotage and subversion across the U.S. and Europe is a critical national security threat. Moscow’s actions demand a stronger NATO strategy that bolsters Europe’s eastern flank and raises the costs of continued aggression.

Congressional Testimony by Seth G. Jones — November 17, 2025

The CommonHealth

Rep. Adam Smith on Engaging China

Listen to the recent CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Health Security discussion with Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, on his experience leading a Congressional delegation to China in late September 2025. 

Podcast Episode by J. Stephen Morrison — November 14, 2025

The CommonHealth

Rep. Adam Smith on Engaging China

A discussion with Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) on his experience leading a Congressional delegation to China in late September 2025. 

Event — November 6, 2025

Rep. Adam Smith on Engaging China

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, discussed his experience leading a Congressional delegation to China in late September 2025.

Transcript — November 6, 2025

The UK's National Security Strategy in the Middle East

The UK’s National Security Strategy (NSS) lists the different tools the UK has in the Middle East – diplomatic, humanitarian, military, and prosperity footprint – but does not say which tools are most effective and should be prioritized with limited resources.

Congressional Testimony by Will Todman — October 20, 2025

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Modernization

Today’s global threat landscape is accompanied by the advent of a new missile age, one defined by a surge in the global supply and demand for a broad and diverse spectrum of strike capabilities as well as the means to counter them.

Congressional Testimony by Tom Karako — October 9, 2025

Congressional Perspectives on Maritime Security

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department (DSD) and the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) for a Maritime Security Dialogue event featuring Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT).

Event — October 7, 2025