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
There is often a misconception that drafting legislation is merely about writing, when the truth of the matter is that drafting legislation more accurately and frequently involves identifying, presenting and then resolving issues. Those issues could be related to policy or they might involve a technicality. Therefore, the most critical part of the legislative drafter’s … Read more
The United States Constitution The War and Military Establishment Clauses are among Congress’ enumerated powers found in the Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 8., clauses 11, 12, 13, and 14: Obama’s Unprecedented War Powers Claims (Clause 11 – War power) [The Congress shall have Power] To declare War, … Read more
Each year hundreds of hearings are conducted on every topic imaginable by the United States Congress. Possible topics include regulation of business and industry, public policy, governmental operations, and much more. Although testifying at a hearing can be intimidating, hearings serve an important part of the congressional process; providing information to Congress for carrying out … Read more
There are four basic types of legislation that are handled by Congress. They include bills, simple resolutions, joint resolutions and concurrent resolutions. photo credit: USDAgov Bill A bill is the most common type of legislation and can be either permanent or temporary. It may also be general or special in nature; public or private. Bills … Read more
In order for any piece of legislation to be passed, both chambers of Congress must first pass legislation that is completely identical. If there are any changes made to the proposed legislation in either chamber, those changes must be reconciled before a final version can be passed and presented to the President for approval. One … Read more
Legislation is often at the heart of much of what takes place on Capitol Hill. Whether you are testifying or you would like to voice your support or concern for a particular piece of legislation it is important to make sure you read a proposed piece of legislation. Doing so will allow you to present … Read more
. . .it is not far from the truth to say that Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, whilst Congress in its committee rooms is Congress at work. Woodrow Wilson, Congressional Government, 1885. Most matters are accomplished by Congress in committees. Each chamber of Congress has committees that are established to perform very … Read more
Although the idea of testifying before Congress can naturally be daunting, there are many reasons why you might need to do so and not all of them would involve being in the “hot seat”. There are usually two types of witnesses who testify before Congress. They are primary witnesses and supporting witnesses. A primary witness … Read more
The United States Constitution The Copyrights and Patents is one of Congress’ enumerated powers found in the Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 8., clause 8: (Clause 8 – Copyrights and Patents) [The Congress shall have Power] To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors … Read more