When you have an issue that you want to present before Congress, it is important that you first discuss it with the two senators from your state and the representative for your district. These 3 members of your congressional delegation have the largest stake in assisting you when you are a voting constituent, and it … Read more
After a bill makes it out of committee, there is a new challenge. While it is not unusual for a bill to make it out of committee, the bill may not actually make it onto the floor. photo credit: Lori L. Stalteri Majority leaders determine if and when a bill will actually come to the … Read more
Washington DC is teeming with interest groups, lobbyists and other groups, all with the goal of trying to affect the outcome of public policy. Although the idea of interest groups and lobbyists having an effect on Congress finds disfavor with many people, it is likely that the number of interest groups and lobbyists will continue … Read more
Congress follows public opinion quite closely. In fact, public opinion and Congress have a relationship in which public opinion can change the course of actions taken by Congress while at the same time Congress frequently seeks to influence public opinion. photo credit: The Democratic Alliance If it is your goal to drive the actions of … 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
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
Persuading Congress: How to Spend Less and Get More from Congress: Candid Advice for Executives By Joseph Gibson Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson, is a a practical book, packed with wisdom and experience. For less than the cost of a cab ride to the airport, you can learn how to stop wasting your time when … Read more