Research Archives - Page 2 of 2

Research Tools and Techniques: Refining Your Online and Offline Searches, 1-day course in Washington, DC, from TheCapitol.Net

Research Tools and Techniques: Refining Your Online and Offline Searches What to do when you’re told, “Find out about this!” photo credit: MSVG This course helps anyone responsible for research at any Washington-area organization, whether an agency, association, business, elected official or nonprofit. It is designed for anyone who wants to improve their online and … Read more

Are your research skills up-to-date and adding value?

In a presentation at the recent ACC Annual Meeting, Google’s General Counsel Kent Walker relayed this startling piece of information: in the entire history of humankind, until 2003, man had created a total of 5 exabytes of information. Today, we create 5 exabytes of information every two days. And the pace of information creation is … Read more

Know your Advocacy Issue Inside and Out

Before you can effectively promote and defend your issue you must thoroughly understand it. Researching a public policy issue is imperative if you expect to be able to promote it. When you have researched your issue you will be able to withstand even the toughest of questioning from opposing viewpoints. photo credit: Gregs Landscaping Quality … Read more

Tips for Conducting Advocacy, Issue and Legislative Research

The way in which you conduct research as part of your efforts to lobby for a particular issue can have an important effect on the outcome of that issue. Extreme care must be exercised when preparing any research that will be utilized. photo credit: AlexYo1968 First, double-check and verify everything. This includes the names of … Read more

Understanding Federal Legislative History

Legislative history involves the proceedings in Congress that relate to a law before it was actually enacted. This can include official reports prepared by congressional committees as well as official statements that are issued by members of Congress. Legislative history may also include testimony given at legislative hearings, and different versions of the text of … Read more

Tracking the Priorities of Congressional Leaders

Leadership in Congress is particularly important as whichever party has the majority garners the responsibility of choosing committee chairs, setting agendas and scheduling legislation for consideration. Understanding the congressional leadership’s priorities helps you understand future legislation. There are many ways in which you can determine those priorities. photo credit: Mrs. Gemstone There are critical times … Read more

Writing to Persuade your Congressional Representative

One of the most time-honored and common ways of effecting the outcome of legislation is to make contact with your elected officials and persuade them to take a specific stance regarding certain legislation. Even so, simply writing a letter to your senator or representative is not enough to convince them to take the desired action. … Read more

How to Contact Congress

Congress receives more than 86.9 million pieces of snail mail annually, and more than 200 million emails each year. How effective are these communications? Joshua Tauberer, the creator of research tool GovTrack says that in his personal experience: […] what Congressional staff say is that two things happen with letters and other communications. First, Representatives … Read more

Advice for Congressional Interns

Are you contemplating a stint as a Congressional intern? Most of these internships are not paid, but the competition for them is still high. Some of the most powerful people in Washington began their careers as interns on Capitol Hill. Former Vice President Dick Cheney began his political career as an intern for Rep. William … Read more