e-politick
TRANSCRIPT
The Aegis Group, Ltd. © 2012/All Rights Reserved
e-Politick
Lobbying the U.S. Congress
a First Amendment Right
The First Amendment!
� Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Congressional Myths You are one of many!
� Myth: My Congressman will take care of my issue!
� Fact: Your Congressman has numerous issues and constituencies to deal with every day. You are competing against hundreds of unknown individuals. And, there may be constituents within the Congressional district that have contrary interests or are competing for the same benefits.
� Myth: I am an important constituent, thus, my needs will be addressed.
� Fact: You still have to compete for his attention and that of his staff. Your issue is one of many that will get lost in the day’s business unless you know how to cut the head of the “constituent waiting line.”
� Myth: All Congressmen are equal.
� Fact: No! Some have a tremendous amount of influence and power, while others are relatively weak or lazy! There are also wide discrepancies of power within issues. For example, a Congressman may have enormous power in banking issues, but may be powerless in influencing educational or appropriations policy.
The House of Representatives Overview
� A congress lasts for 2 years and has two sessions. Each congressman has a term of two years. The total number of congressmen is 435, one for every 30,000 of population.
� Sources of ideas for legislation are numerous, i.e., the Administration, constituents, organizations, etc.. And, only the House may initiate revenue bills.
� There are more than 20 committees in the House. Many of which share jurisdiction over legislation that is introduced and federal departments.
� The House may impeach (or indict) federal official but not try them, a right reserved for the Senate.
The House of Representatives Legislative Process Synopsis
� A legislative proposal is introduced by a member of congress in one of four principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution. The most common form is, “the bill.”
� The president may not introduce legislation. He has to rely on friendly members of congress to introduce his legislative initiatives.
� Congressional committees are “legislative laboratories” where proposals are examined, acted upon, and – if approved by the committee(s) of jurisdiction – are sent to the full House for a vote of approval or denial.
� If a bill is approved by the House, it is “referred” to the Senate for its concurrence or rejection. If approved as passed by the House, it is send to the President for signature and becomes law. If amended by the Senate, the bill goes to a conference (between House/Senate members) where it undergoes changes suitable to assure its eventual Congressional approval and then on to the President for final approval.
The U.S. Senate Overview
� The Senate is composed of 100 Members, 2 from each state each with a term of 6 years. One-third of the total Senate is elected every second year.
� The Senate has several unique powers not held by the House of Representatives, i.e., ratification of treaties, confirming Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, upper echelon federal executive officials, military officers, regulatory officials, and ambassadors.
� The Senate may serve as the “court” of justice of federal officials impeached by the House of Representatives.
� The Senate has more than 20 committees many of whom
share jurisdiction over legislation and federal departments.
The U.S. Senate Legislative Process Synopsis
� The office of the Secretary of the Senate receives the House “bill” which becomes an “act” signifying that it is the act of one body of the Congress. It officially becomes an “engrossed bill.”
� The bill is then referred to the appropriate standing Senate committee of jurisdiction for consideration as in the House or it may report it with or without amendments or “table” it. Other committees may claim jurisdiction.
� When a committee reports a bill for full Senate consideration, it is reprinted with the committee amendments and the committee report language including the name of the Senator making the report.
� The rules of procedure, for legislative approval, in the Senate differ from those in the House. The Senate relies heavily on the practice of obtaining unanimous consent for actions to be taken.
� The path for Senate approval can be long and confusing because of the numerous requirements for limit on debate, “lay-over” periods (anywhere from a day, to weeks and months). The aforementioned is a highly abbreviated version of a very long process.
How A Bill Becomes A Law
� Draft H.R. → Put in Hopper →Assign to Committee →assign to Subcommittee →Hearings →Markup→Back to Committee →Hearings→Passage→Rules Committee→Hearings→Issue Rule→Floor Debate→Passage→Senate→Senate Committee→Senate Subcomitee→Hearings→Markup→Full Committee→Senate Calendar→Debate→Passage→Conference Commitee→Back to House→Back to Senate→Signed by President
The Budget Process
On or Before Action to Be Completed
15th day after Congress meets President submits his budget
March 15 Committees and joint committees Submit reports to Budget Committees
April 1 Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees
April 15 Budget Committees report first concurrent resolutions on the Budget to their Houses
May 15 Committees report bills and resolutions authorizing new budget authority
May 15 Congress completes action on first concurrent resolution on the Budget
The Budget Process (continued)
7th Day after Labor Day Congress completes action on bills and resolutions providing new budget authority and new spending authority
September 15 Congress completes action on second required concurrent resolution on the budget
September 25 Congress completes action on reconciliation bill or resolution, or both, implementing second required concurrent resolution
October 1 Fiscal year begins
Grassroots Lobbying Access is Everything
Do
� Volunteer in campaigns
� Know the staff
� Attend town hall meetings hosted by your representative
� Stay in contact via email, telephone or mail
� Share information on your issues – become a familiar and reliable source of information
� Be the first to tell the truth of your issue and tell it often!
Don’t
� Don’t nag, threaten, demand, badmouth the opposition or lie!
The Big Day
Lobbying in Washington
� Know the pertinent bill numbers and contents of the House/Senate versions
� Know all the arguments on all side of your issue
� Know your allies, your opponents
� Prepare a one-page memo outlining your issues relevant to the bill – stick to one page
� Make advance appointments – three weeks or more in advance – with key staff.
� Staff are the gatekeepers to the representative or senator – unless you are on a first-name basis with the elected official
� If you belong to an organization that is making the “Washington Fly-In” trip, try to arrange an informal reception for your represented (s) and key staff but be mindful of hospitality rules
� Once home, follow up with thank you emails, cards, letters or telephone calls and follow up on your issue(s)
Who to bring? Bring
� An articulate spokesperson – speak with one voice on the same issue. Present all sides of the issue and do so fairly
� Constituent s of key members that are dealing with your issue
� People who are directly affected by the proposed bill or legislation
� Good team players
Do Not Bring
� A heavy-handed browbeater or low mouthed individual – they’ll kill your chances of success
Capitol Hill Terms � Member Either a U.S. Representative or Senator, male or female � The Hill Term includes all House and Senate office buildings � A.A. Administrative Assistant, top staffer. Also known as C.O.S., chief
of staff � L.D. Legislative Director, oversight/direction over all legislative issues � L.A. Legislative Assistant, congressional staff person, mid rank
individual � L.C. Legislative Correspondent, entry level staff, correspondence,
email, etc.. � Scheduler Person in charge of a Member’s calendar � Staff memo Sheet of paper used by a Member to decide how to vote on
an issue � The Floor As in floor of the House or Senate. When a bill is on the floor, it is
being debated. When a member is on the floor he/she could be anywhere including the floor debating, voting, etc.
� Bells A legislative call system consisting of electric lights and bells or buzzers located in various parts of the Capitol Building alerting Members to votes
The Legislative Maze
Experience is the best GPS! The Aegis Group, Ltd.
The Legislative Maze and Its Various Players
Who/What Influences Legislation?
The French journalist and writer, Honoré de Balzac (1799-‐1850), said “bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies.” His observation could easily apply to the American legislative process. An Aegis client, Tom May, once remarked, “politics or the legislative process doesn’t have a damn thing to do with rational thinking – it’s all smoke and mirrors.” The following chart illustrates the complexity of the modern U.S. agricultural policy process. The same process, with different players, is applicable in other areas not related to agriculture.
The Origins of Public Policy � Public policy starts at home!
Policy Development Chart
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* Media elements (i.e. online social/new media, reporters, broadcast news, etc.) are omnipresent across all levels.
Copyright. The Aegis Group, Ltd. 2010
City/Municipal Government*
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Universities Mayor and Other City Officials
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State Legislature Governor
U.S. Congress*
The Administration*