Librarian of Congress Appoints Karen E. Donfried as New Director of the Congressional Research Service

From LC:

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that she has appointed Karen Donfried as director of the Congressional Research Service, effective Sept. 23, 2024. A noted foreign policy expert, Donfried brings more than three decades of experience leading foreign policymaking, analysis and research with the U.S. Department of State, the German Marshall Fund, and the Congressional Research Service.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce that I have appointed Karen Donfried as the director of the Congressional Research Service,” Hayden said. “She has a long and distinguished record of leadership in the making and execution of American foreign policy and is also a former staff member of the Congressional Research Service, where she served with distinction for 10 years. We are delighted to welcome her back and are excited for her future in this critical role.”

Donfried succeeds Robert Newlen, who has served as interim director since July 2023, and who before his retirement in 2017 served in many roles at the Library, including as deputy librarian of Congress.

Most recently Donfried served as the assistant secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, acting as the secretary of State’s lead adviser. In that role, she developed and implemented U.S. foreign policy in Europe and Eurasia, promoting U.S. interests in the region and overseeing State Department operations in more than 50 countries.

Donfried came to the Department of State from the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where she served as the organization’s first female President starting in 2014. The German Marshall Fund supports transatlantic cooperation and promotes democracy, human rights and international cooperation in Europe and around the world.

Previously, Donfried served on the National Security Council at the White House, and as the National Intelligence Officer for Europe on the National Intelligence Council. She also worked as part of the Department of State’s Policy Planning Staff, and in other roles at the German Marshall Fund, including as executive vice president.

For 10 years, Donfried served as an analyst and specialist in European Affairs in the Congressional Research Service’s Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division. During this time, she wrote hundreds of reports and confidential memoranda on U.S. policy toward Europe, European integration, national and global security, and European institutions.

Donfried earned bachelor’s degrees in government and German from Wesleyan University, a Magister from the University of Munich, and a Master of Arts in law and diplomacy and a Ph.D. from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.

In 1914, Congress passed legislation to establish a separate department within the Library of Congress. President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill into law, and the Congressional Research Service, then called the Legislative Reference Service, was born to serve the legislative needs of Congress. The director of the Congressional Research Service serves by appointment of, and under the general direction of, the Librarian of Congress.

The mission of the Congressional Research Service is to serve Congress with the highest quality of research, analysis, information and confidential consultation to support the exercise of its legislative, representational and oversight duties. With core values of confidentiality, objectivity, nonpartisanship, authoritativeness and timeliness, the Congressional Research Service serves as an extension of congressional staff. The Congressional Research Service examines pressing legislative issues facing Congress; identifies and assesses policy options; and provides analysis, consultation and briefings to support Congress throughout the legislative process across the full range of public policy issues.

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