[DC]

Files in this series were created from 1982 through 1994. Materials include memos, notes, correspondence, bills, reports, and press clippings. Subject matter includes the status of statehood for Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico; raising the post of Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to a cabinet-level position; issues concerning federal employees, especially benefits for postal employees and federal judges; the organization of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee; the organization and efficiency of federal departments and agencies; international drug interdiction, particularly the Coast Guard's role in drug enforcement; the Hatch Act regulating political activity among federal employees; and the Wedtech scandal involving Attorney General Edwin Meese. Nearly all of these files directly involve the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, on which Mitchell sat from 1987 through 1988, and a large portion of the files in this series were generated during that time period. The General Accounting Office wrote many of the reports in this series, which discuss the efficiency of federal agencies and departments. Most of the files were maintained by Steve Hart and are grouped by topic with the exception of three boxes. Some files were maintained by Bob Carolla. In addition to the files concerning the cabinet status of the Veterans' Affairs secretary, some items from the Veterans' Affairs series are interfiled here.