Capitol Hill Workshop – 3-day Congressional Seminar in Washington, DC

Capitol Hill Workshop: Politics, Policy, and Process – Legislative Operations Workshop In this engaging workshop and seminar on legislative operations, Washington-based experts focus on these 3 P’s. They discuss the policy-making process and the legislative agenda, help you understand the congressional budget process, and demystify the culture of the U.S. Congress. photo credit: upto6only.com You … Read more

Capitol Hill Workshop – 3-day Legislative Operations Workshop in Washington, DC

Capitol Hill Workshop: Politics, Policy, and Process In this engaging workshop and seminar on legislative operations, Washington-based experts focus on these 3 P’s. They discuss the policy-making process and the legislative agenda, help you understand the congressional budget process, and demystify the culture of the U.S. Congress. photo credit: bpende You will leave this workshop … Read more

The Presidential Budget Process

Title III of the Congressional Budget Act requires that the President submit his proposed budget to Congress no later than the first Monday in February. The President’s budget is actually only a request made to Congress, and Congress is under no obligation to adopt the budget or consider the recommendations of the President. photo credit: … Read more

Effective Strategy Planning Tips for Lobbyists and Advocates

The legislative environment can involve a high degree of pressure and present challenges to the lobbyist for strategic planning. Organizations that take time to invest in staff training, strategic planning and goal updates will be rewarded in the long term, including sustained legislative success and effective representation of client or member interests. Strategic planning can … Read more

Early Organization Meetings of Congress

Since the mid-1970s, both chambers of Congress have convened early organization meetings in November or December of even-numbered years as a way to prepare for the beginning of the new Congress in January of the following year. Such meetings serve educational as well as social and organizational purposes. photo credit: seeveeaar Educational sessions of early … Read more

We can see why a “return” to civility is not possible

    Attack Ads, Circa 1800     In Defense of Negativity: Attack Ads in Presidential Campaigns Presidential Debates: Fifty Years of High-Risk TV All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business     The Election of 1800 Explained     … Read more

The Role of Ideology in Persuading Congress

The first time most congressional candidates make the decision to run for Congress, they do so, at least in part, because of their ideology. Generally, they hold some beliefs they are interested in pursuing in the public policy arena. Those beliefs may be characterized as liberal, conservative, libertarian, or the candidate’s own unique ideology. photo … Read more

How Legislatures, Including Congress, Really Work

When you attempt to influence a group of people, it is important to develop an understanding of the environment in which that group operates. Congressional and state legislative environments differ from other environments, including private and public workplaces. Learning to appreciate those differences as well as the inherent characteristics that are unique to legislative environments … Read more

How Truth-in-Testimony Rules Apply to Prospective Congressional Witnesses

As a prospective public witness testifying before Congress, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the Truth-In-Testimony rules that witnesses are required to comply with and the consequences that can result for failing to comply. photo credit: einalem To the greatest extent possible, witnesses who appear before each committee are required to submit … Read more

Glossary of Legislative Terms: “Amendment Tree”

See Amendment Tree / Filling the Tree (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 Drafting Effective Federal Legislation and Amendments in a Nutshell, Audio Course on CD Congress, the Legislative Process, and the Fundamentals … Read more