MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF PAPERS, (1971) 1974-1977

When Gerald R. Ford became President in August 1974, Max L. Friedersdorf was serving as Deputy Assistant to President Nixon for Legislative Affairs. His special responsibility was coordination of White House liaison with the House of Representatives. He worked directly under William E. Timmons, the head of the Congressional Liaison Office. In January 1975 Friedersdorf became the Assistant to the President (Ford) for Legislative Affairs and head of the office. He had overall responsibility for liaison between the President and Congress. The staff he directed included deputy assistants for the House and Senate and several special assistants under them. Friedersdorf himself reported to John Marsh, Counselor to the President.

Friedersdorf and his staff were involved in virtually all aspects of presidential relations with members of Congress. Tasks were often routine such as clearing personnel appointments, monitoring congressional invitations to White House social events and notifying congressional offices of various White House actions. More importantly however, the office was responsible for arranging meetings and telephone calls between the President and members of Congress, informing the president and his staff of congressional views and the status of legislation and lobbying for the administration's point of view on proposed legislation.

Most of this collection dates from Friedersdorf's activities after becoming head of the overall congressional relations operation in January 1975. The collection unevenly documents Friedersdorf's activities. Much of the correspondence is routine. Much of the lobbying of members of Congress was carried out orally and documentation is sparse. Nevertheless, there are materials compiled and occasional notes taken by Friedersdorf during meetings with members of Congress and the President which indicate how the office worked. Occasional substantive materials also appear on major domestic and foreign policy issues such as the president's energy program, national security, and the end of U.S. involvement in Indochina.

Related Materials (February 2007)
The Max Friedersdorf Files, another Ford Library collection, contain further documentation of Friedersdorf’s responsibilities as Assistant to the President. Material on the responsibilities and activities of the Congressional Relations Office is located in the files of Friedersdorf's office colleagues, including William Timmons, Vernon Loen, Charles Leppert, William Kendall, Patrick O’ Donnell, Joseph Jenckes, and Robert Wolthuis. The files of White House Counsellor John Marsh also contain much on congressional liaison. The files of individual White House staff will contain information on specific pieces of legislation in their respective policy areas. In White House Central Files, categories LE (Legislation) and FG 30 through FG 37 (Congress) provide some overview of White House relations with Congress.