The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known
as the Helsinki Commission, is an independent U.S. Government
agency created in 1976 to monitor and encourage compliance with
the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE commitments. The
Commission consists of nine members from the United States
Senate, nine members from the U.S. House of Representatives, and
one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and
Commerce. The positions of Chair and Co-Chair are shared by the
House and Senate and rotate every two years, when a new Congress
convenes. A professional staff assists the Commissioners in
their work. The Commission contributes to the formulation of
U.S. policy on the OSCE and takes part in its execution,
including through Member and staff participation on U.S.
Delegations to OSCE meetings and in certain OSCE bodies. Members
of the Commission have regular contact with parliamentarians,
government officials, NGOs, and private individuals from other
OSCE participating States. The Commissio