Forbidden Citizens Chinese Exclusion and the U.S. Congress – A Legislative History By Martin B. Gold Described as “one of the most vulgar forms of barbarism,” by Rep. John Kasson (R-IA) in 1882, a series of laws passed by the United States Congress between 1879 and 1943 resulted in prohibiting the Chinese as a … Read more
Media Relations Handbook For Government, Associations, Nonprofits, and Elected Officials By Bradford Fitch The Media Relations Handbook, 2e is required reading for Capitol Hill press secretaries, federal agency public affairs officers, political campaign spin doctors, public affairs officers (PAOs), public information officers (PIOs), nonprofit PR professionals, lobbyists or anyone involved in garnering media coverage. … Read more
Writing for Government and Business: Critical Thinking and Writing How to Compose Clear and Effective Reports, Letters, Email, and Memos This is the first course in our 2-course Word Workshop. The second course, “Writing to Persuade,” is available as a custom, on-site training program. Do you need to improve your writing skills? This intensive one-day … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Backdoor Authority / Backdoor Spending A colloquial phrase for budget authority provided in laws other than appropriations acts, including contract authority and borrowing authority, as well as entitlement authority and the outlays that result from that budget authority. Fiscal Law #1 – Overview … Read more
Legislative Drafter’s Deskbook A Practical Guide By Tobias A. Dorsey The Legislative Drafter’s Deskbook offers practical advice and insight for those engaged in legislative drafting, those more interested in policy than drafting itself, or those interested in reading and interpreting the law. The Legislative Drafter’s Deskbook: A Practical Guide is a masterful work. … Read more
A Capitol Learning Audio CourseTM This five-session course gives you a comprehensive look at preparing and delivering oral presentations and testimony before Congress. Five audio courses on CD covering oral presentations and Congressional testimony: Tips, Tactics & Techniques for Writing Congressional Testimony Effectively Using Persuasion in Your Oral Presentations Preparing for Congressional Oversight and Investigation … Read more
Congressional Operations Briefing – Capitol Hill Workshop Intensive 3-day Congressional Operations Briefing and Seminar Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. This engaging workshop and seminar on legislative operations provides the full Capitol Hill experience as our Washington-based experts focus on these 3 P’s. They discuss the policy-making process and the legislative agenda, … Read more
September 17 is Constitution Day! Constitution Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Also see our Pocket Constitution. The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Amendments to the Constitution, all in a handy pocket-sized booklet. Our Pocket Constitution is available for purchase … Read more
Writing for Government and Business: Critical Thinking and Writing How to Compose Clear and Effective Reports, Letters, Email, and Memos This is the first course in our 2-course Word Workshop. The second course, “Writing to Persuade,” is available as a custom, on-site training program. Do you need to improve your writing skills? This intensive one-day … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Expired Account / Expired Appropriation Account An appropriation account expires “[a]t midnight on the last day of an appropriation’s period of availability” and is “no longer available for incurring new obligations.” (GAO Red Book, Volume I, at 1-37.) However, an expired appropriation “remains available for … Read more