Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5142.01
September 15, 2006
DA&M
SUBJECT: Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs (ASD(LA))
References: (a) Sections 113 and 138 of title 10, United States Code
(b) DoD Directive 5142.1, “Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs),”
June 14, 2000 (hereby canceled)
(c) DoD Directive 5400.4, “Provision of Information to Congress”
January 30, 1978
(d) DoD 5025.1-M, “DoD Directives System Procedures,” current edition
(e) DoD Directive 8910.1, “Management and Control of Information
Requirements,” June 11, 1993
1. REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE
Under the authority vested in the Secretary of Defense by Reference (a), this Directive:
1.1. Reissues Reference (b) to update the responsibilities, functions, relationships, and
authorities of the ASD(LA).
1.2. Authorizes the ASD(LA), as a Principal Staff Assistant (PSA) reporting directly to the
Secretary of Defense, to promulgate DoD policy in DoD Instructions within the responsibilities,
functions, and authorities assigned herein.
1.3. Provides guidance for centralized direction, integration, and control of DoD legislative
affairs and liaison activities with the U.S. Congress.
2. APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE
2.1. This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military
Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of
the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred
to collectively as the “DoD Components”).
