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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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

Crossroads of Competition: China in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands

China’s grey zone coercion in the South China Sea has intensified under Xi Jinping, but Southeast Asian nations have grown more resilient. Despite aggressive Chinese maritime tactics, regional players resist. The U.S. must strengthen support for allies to deter China’s aggression.

Congressional Testimony by Gregory B. Poling — March 20, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on bipartisan efforts to counter China

 In this episode of The Truth of the Matter, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi discusses bipartisan efforts to address U.S.-China competition, focusing on technology risks, economic challenges, and national security. Key topics include TikTok's legal battle, Chinese-made technology threats, and strategies to strengthen U.S. deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) — December 20, 2024

CSIS the truth of the matter

China and the Middle East

China sees the Middle East as the point of the spear of creating a different world which is more mercantilist and less committed to international law and multilateralism.

Congressional Testimony by Jon B. Alterman — April 19, 2024