Given the many different methods of communication that are available today and the significant increase in pending legislation in congress, it is a challenge to choose the best method for connecting with policymakers. During the last ten years, the amount of communications between constituents and Congress has increased dramatically, due primarily due to the Internet. … Read more
Here are books published in the last year or so by some of TheCapitol.Net’s faculty. Mark Feldstein unearthed significant new information from more than two hundred interviews and thousands of declassified documents and tapes in Poisoning the Press: Richard Nixon, Jack Anderson, and the Rise of Washington’s Scandal Culture. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “This detailed … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Recede: Motion by one chamber to withdraw from its previous position during amendments between the chambers. Recede and Concur: Motion to withdraw from a position and agree with the other chamber’s position. Recede and Concur with an Amendment: Motion to withdraw from a position and … Read more
“The Podestas Face Tough Questions About Lobbying,” by Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic, October 1, 2010 From Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak: §1.1 Introduction Nearly every legislative day, thousands of lobbyists are watching, monitoring, and working to influence the outcome of legislation at the federal level. Simultaneously, lobbyists are presenting hundreds of testimonies and briefings … Read more
Given the size of Congress, consisting of 535 members, it can sometimes be difficult to understand the role of various members and how Congress goes about establishing agendas. photo credit: dougww Just after each election, members of each political party for both Congressional chambers meet in order to elect party leaders. These positions are important … Read more
See Well (CongressionalGlossary.com) Courses Congressional Operations Briefing – Capitol Hill Workshop Drafting Federal Legislation and Amendments Writing for Government and Business: Critical Thinking and Writing Custom, On-Site Training Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony and Oral Presentations, a Five-Course series on CD Congress, the Legislative Process, and the Fundamentals of Lawmaking Series, a Nine-Course … Read more
Special note to readers of Testifying Before Congress and anyone searching for information about congressional hearings, witnesses and testimony: The following information is made available to you as part of the author’s promise to provide periodic updates, revisions and additions to the content of the book (see Appendix Thirteen, page 398, “Keep Up-to-Date”), and especially … Read more
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
The Legislative Process Flowchart is from § 6.01, Legislative Process Flowchart, in Congressional Deskbook, Copyright © by TheCapitol.Net. See LegislativeProcessFlowchart.com This Legislative Process Flowchart is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution—NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available: www.thecapitol.net, 202-678-1600. TCNLPF.comLegislativeProcessFlowchart.com Related PostsCongress, the Legislative Process, and the Fundamentals … Read more
Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson, was reviewed in the October 2010 edition of the Georgia Bar Journal. Joseph Gibson offers keen insight into the process and practical advice for those wishing to interact with Congress. . . . Overall, he has created a straightforward guide about effective interaction with Congress and its members. It is … Read more