Roadmap. Part I. Part 2. Your Advocacy Voice Makes a Difference. Learn About the Member of Congress and Hill Staff. Preparing for the Conversation

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1 Roadmap Your Advocacy Voice Makes a Difference Learn About the Member of Congress and Hill Staff Preparing for the Conversation Part I Three Themes Specific Bill/Amendment Appropriations/Funding Regulation Following Up After the Conversation Part 2 Tools and Templates Worksheets Hill Maps

2 Your Advocacy Voice Makes a Difference Advocacy in Washington Influences the Governing Bodies As Long As There Is Citizen Interest in the Political Landscape Congress and the White House create laws and regulations to govern citizens Citizens influence governing behavior by participating in advocacy efforts & Show Support Ask for Change Tell Stories Share Ideas Provide Information

3 Your Advocacy Voice Makes a Difference Yes Members of Congress Actually Want to Hear From You Members highly value staying in touch with constituents Members find personal and engaging content more persuasive than form letters Constituent conversations guide policymaking Reelection hinges on their ability to serve the constituents who vote them into office Members trust their staff to help them listen to constituents, so advocates should not be surprised if they meet with staff in lieu of a Member Individual letters and s can have greater influence on Member decisionmaking than form letters Advocates should focus on sending more personal messages to their Member of Congress to capture the individual voice or perspective

4 Your Advocacy Voice Makes a Difference Legislation Moves Slowly, Advocacy Success Takes Time Analysis The vast majority of bills (97%) introduced in the 113th Congress failed to become law, and most never even came close; only 5% of bills introduced passed at least one chamber Introducing a bill or starting the conversation in Congress can lead to advocacy success in the long-term, but advocates must remember the process takes patience and persistence

5 Your Advocacy Voice Makes a Difference Success in the Advocacy Space Can Take Time as Legislation Can Slowly Move Through Congress Only 5% of bills introduced made it to the floor of either the House or Senate, a marker that the bill enjoyed serious deliberation Analysis The vast majority of bills (97%) introduced in the 113th Congress failed to become law, and most never even came close; only 5% of bills introduced passed at least one chamber Introducing a bill or starting the conversation in Congress can lead to advocacy success in the long-term

6 Learn About the Member of Congress and Hill Staff Hill Staffers Significantly Outnumber Members of Congress Analysis The 535 members of Congress are supported by a larger infrastructure of over 13,000 staffers While most staffers are far less powerful than any member, the most trusted and effective aides of the most senior members may be extremely influential in their own right, and as a conduit to their member

7 Learn About the Member of Congress and Hill Staff Expect to Meet with Hill Staffers During Hill Meetings Sample Organization of a Congressional Office Meetings are most often scheduled with and run through one or more of these staffers Member of Congress It isnotuncommonformembers to show up halfway through a meeting or leave part of the way through Chief of Staff Policy Staff Communications Staff Office Staff District Staff Legislative Director/Counsel Communications Director Personal Assistant/ Scheduler District Director Legislative Aide Legislative Correspondent Staff Assistant District Caseworkers LCs and SAs may join in meetings as a junior staffer or note-taker Analysis Because members of Congress have busy schedules, staffers will often have more time to devote to Hill meetings, and usually staffers can be more capable of affecting any takeaway

8 Learn About the Member of Congress and Hill Staff Hill Staff Come in Two Forms Overview of Personal and Committee Congressional Staff Line of Reporting Job Overview Personal Office Staff Hired by one member of Congress and only responsible to that member Work on combination of policy and constituentservice matters, depending on needs of district Committee Staff Hired by chairman or ranking member of committee; work for alldemocraticor Republican committee members Work exclusively on policy, within area of committee Issues Practice over range of issues Specialize in committee-related issue Background More likely to be from district or state of hiring member; tend to have trust of Member Less likely to be from district or state of chairman or ranking member; tend to be expert in issue area Number The average Representative has 14 staffers working for them, the average Senator has 30 House committees averaged 68 staff and Senate committees average 46 Sample Titles Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, Legislative Assistant Staff Director, Policy Analyst, Committee Counsel Analysis The job of a personal staffer is to support the work of one member, while the role of a committee staffer is to assist a committee

9 Preparing for the Conversation Legislative Process: How a Bill Becomes a Law The Legislative Process Representative Introduces bill in the House of Representatives* Senator Introduces bill in the Senate* House Committee/Subcommittee Releases Revises & Releases Tables House floor Bill is read, debated and amended; simple majority needed to pass Passes different bill than Senate Passed bills sent to other chamber unless similar measures are already under consideration Senate Committee/Subcommittee Releases Revises & Releases Tables Senate floor Bill is read, debated and amended; simple majority needed to pass Passes different bill thanhouse Conference Committee** Writes compromise bill. That bill goes back to both houses for final approval; approved bill is sent to the President Bill becomes Law President signs President vetoes 2/3 vote in Congress can override veto *Legislation may be introduced in either chamber except for tax law, which must originate in the House **Most major legislation goes to conference committee; When one chamber passes legislation originating in the other without making changes, bill goes directly to President

10 Preparing for the Conversation Bills Face Numerous Obstacles to Passage in Senate Legislative Process and Obstacles in the Senate Bill is ignored by full committee Billfails passage in subcommittee vote Billfails passage in full committee vote Introduced to Chamber Sent to Committee Sent to Subcommittee Sent Back to Committee Sent to House Full Senate Vote Amended Debated on Senate Floor Placed on Legislative Calendar Bill fails final vote in full chamber Poisonpill amendments sabotage final passage Bill is filibustered during debate on Senate floor Senate Majority Leader declines to place bill on the legislative calendar Analysis It s often easier to stop a bill than pass a bill; sometimes advocates can be most effective by arguing against a law that damages an organization s interests; The Senate relies on unanimous consent to operate efficiently; therefore, individual Senators have the power to delay or prevent a bill s passage by creating additional procedural hurdles, including filibusters.

11 Preparing for the Conversation House Rules Allow Majority Party to Prevent Passage Legislative Process and Obstacles in the House Bill is ignored by full committee Billfailspassage in subcommittee vote Billfailspassage in full committee vote Introduced to Chamber Sent to Committee Sent to Subcommittee Sent Back to Committee Sent to Senate Full House Vote Debated on House Floor Amended Placed on Legislative Calendar Bill fails final vote in full chamber Bill sent back to committee by a motion to recommit Poison pill amendments sabotage final passage Speaker of the House declines to place bill on the legislative calendar Analysis While the House provides individual Representatives with fewer opportunities to prevent a bill s passage, Republican Speakers of the House follow the informal Hastert Rule, which prevents passage unless a majority of House Republicans support a bill As a result, some bills with bipartisan support in the Senate fail to advance to a final vote in the House

12 Preparing for the Conversation Bills Continue to Face Hurdles After Passage Process and Obstacles for Enacting and Enforcing Laws If the law is challenged in court, a judge can rule to prevent enforcement with an injunction and may eventually strike down the law Passed by Both Chambers Signed bypresident Enacted Executive orders or signing statements can prevent a law from being enforced as originally intended President vetoes bill, Congress can override veto with a supermajority vote Analysis Even if a bill manages to pass both chambers of Congress, the President can use vetoes, executive orders or signing statements to prevent the bill from being enacted or enforced Opponents of the bill, including those outside of the legislative process, can prevent the law from being enacted by mounting a successful legal challenge

13 Preparing for the Conversation Center Advocate Discussions Around One ofthree Themes Specific Bill/Amendment Regulation Appropriations/Funding How a bill becomes a law How legislation and regulation compare How the federal budget process works How a bill does not becomes a law How the rulemaking process works How the appropriations process works Why talk about regulation? Regulations can be stopped by Congress or influential public comments Advocates can influence Congress to disapprove of a regulation using scientific studies or data Congress, via hearings and letters to agency officials, can influence regulations and implementation

14 Preparing for the Conversation Different Processes for Passing Legislation, Regulation, but Same Force of Law Differences Between Legislation and Regulation Legislation Introduced by Altered by Can be stopped by Finalized when Has the effect of Stalling/Failing in Congress Legislation may be stopped Law Lawmakers Any senator or congressperson can introduce legislation Congress Committees in either chamber can alter proposed legislation through the amendment process if it stalls in the committee phase, fails a vote or cloture motion, is vetoed, or is not brought up by the other chamber Signed by President or Congress Overrides Ve t o The president can sign the bill into law, or Congress can override a presidential veto by two- thirds majorities in both chambers Finalized legislation has the binding force of law Regulation Federal Agencies A federal agency may draft a regulation after reviewing or finding ambiguity in a law and realizing a clarifying regulation is necessary; regulations must be based in laws already passed The Public The public and interested parties may attempt to change a proposed regulation by submitting comments, which require consideration and response by the agency Congress/The Public A proposed regulation may be stopped in its tracks by strong, nearly unanimous or very influential public comments, or a resolution of disapproval by Congress (which can be vetoed by the president) Published A regulation becomes a rule when it is published into the Federal Register after final consideration of comments and adjustments Law Exactly the same as legislation; a finalized regulation has the binding force of law

15 Preparing for the Conversation Federal Rulemaking Process May pass legislation Source: requiring new regulation Congress May pass resolution of disapproval Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Agency realizes a rule is necessary, brought about by either a petition, a congressional order, a federal order, a lawsuit, or an accident Agency proposes rule and solicits comments in the Federal Register Agency collects and reviews comments, preparing final draft of regulation Agency submits rule to Congress and General Accountability Office, then publishes final rule in Federal Register Regulation enters compliance, interpretation, and review phase May order agency to enact regulation May ask to review at any point in rulemaking process May veto regulation May become involved in questions of legality White House Judicial Branch

16 Preparing for the Conversation Agencies May Skip Steps If Good Cause Exists Step 1 Agency realizes a rule is necessary, brought about by either a petition, a congressional order, a federal order, a lawsuit, or an accident Step 2 Agency proposes rule and solicits comments in the Federal Register Step 3 Agency collects and reviews comments, preparing final draft of regulation Step 4 Agency submits rule to Congress and General Accounting Office, then publishes final rule in Federal Register Step 5 Regulation enters compliance, interpretation, and review phase Agency establishes good cause for skipping steps if rule has a narrow or minor impact or if problem must be addressed imminently.

17 Preparing for the Conversation Center Advocate Discussions Around One ofthree Themes Specific Bill/Amendment Regulation Appropriations/Funding How a bill becomes a law How legislation and regulation compare How the federal budget process works How a bill does not becomes a law How the rulemaking process works How the appropriations process works Why talk about appropriations or funding? Organizations need advocates to persuade Members of Congress to make favorable funding decisions while in office Members of Congress value personal anecdotes of how funding (or cuts to funding affects constituents; staffers may use compelling stories or speeches

18 Preparing for the Conversation The Federal Budget Process (in Theory) 1 2 In early February, OMB, after reviewing agency proposals, submits the President s annual budget request, detailing the administration s goals for federal revenue and spending, programby-program funding levels, and project deficits and surpluses. By April 15, Senate and House Budget Committees draft budget resolutions to set total levels of discretionary funding available for the next fiscal year. If a resolution fails to pass both chambers, a chamber will pass a deeming resolution to establish enforceable budget levels. 3Working within the discretionary funding limits set by the budget resolutions, House and Senate Appropriations Committees assign to each of their twelve subcommittees the task of determining program-byprogram funding. 4The Appropriations Committees amend and pass subcommittee appropriations bills. 5Senate and House leadership negotiate passing all unfinished subcommittee bills together in an omnibus bill. If Congress fails to do this by October 1, it must pass a continuing resolution to keep programs funded, or face partial government shutdown. 6 The President signs the omnibus bill or continuing resolution.

19 Preparing for the Conversation Appropriations Process Has Many Failure Points Appropriations Process for a Single Appropriations Category YES YES YES YES YES YES House and Senate subcommittees covering the same appropriations category each pass an appropriations bill House and Senate Budget Committees pass their respective subcommittees bills House and Senate pass their respective appropriations bills Conference committee amends and combines the two bills House and Senate pass the combined appropriations bill President signs the combined appropriations bill Appropriations bill becomes law, takes effect October 1 NO NO NO NO NO NO The unfinished appropriations category must be addressed in an omnibus bill or continuing resolution Analysis Now that a joint budget resolution has passed, the appropriations subcommittees in each chamber will turn the budget resolution s topline numbers into program-specific spending levels Any appropriations bill that is not completed before the new fiscal year begins on October 1 will be folded into an omnibus bill or CR before the beginning of the new fiscal year in order to prevent funding gaps Because each appropriations bill is passed as a separate law, the President can veto an individual appropriations bill without affecting the other categories President Obama threatened to veto appropriations legislation containing defense spending increases beyond budget caps unless Congress also passes spending increases for nondefense programs

20 Following Up After the Conversation Momentum Often Slips During Post-Campaign Phase Advocate Activity Level Over Time Ideal Continuous Engagement Loss of Engagement Start of Campaign End of Campaign Analysis At the start of an advocacy campaign, momentum typically increases steadily Many campaigns lose advocacy momentum and drop to previous engagement levels after a campaign Ideally an organization would continue momentum to install continuous engagement with advocacy efforts

21 Following Up After the Conversation Use Meeting Follow Up to Build Trust, Serve as a Resource INTERCEPT REPORT Send a Thank You Note and Valuable Information Attend Events in the District Thank the Member of Congress and/or Attend public events or town halls in your Hill Staffer for their time following the district to increase your visibility with your meeting Member of Congress Add a reminder of the topic of the Build relationships with district staff to meeting in the note for the Member s serve as a trustworthy resource on your reference issue Send along information from a reliable source to keep the Member s office aware of your issue

22 Roadmap Your Advocacy Voice Makes a Difference Learn About the Member of Congress and Hill Staff Preparing for the Conversation Part I Three Themes Specific Bill/Amendment Appropriations/Funding Regulation Following Up After the Conversation Part 2 Tools and Templates Worksheets Hill Maps

23 Tools and Templates: Worksheets After the Conversation Worksheet Name of Member of Congress: District/State Party: Office Phone Number: Address: Notes from Meeting Date Scheduler Name: fc Person Meeting with (if not legislator): Meeting Location and Time: Committees:

24 Tools and Templates: Worksheets Track a Bill as it MovesThrough the Legislative Process Name of Bill: Summary: Key Provisions for Our Group: 1. Bill is introduced 2. Bill passes committee 3. Bill passes subcommittee 4. Bill placed on legislative calendar Related Bills: House 5. Bill debated on House floor 6. Bill amended 7. Bill passes vote H.R. H.R. : H.R. : Related Bills: Senate 1. Bill is introduced 2. Bill passes committee S. 3. Bill passes subcommittee 4. Bill placed on legislative calendar 5. Bill debated on Senate floor 6. Bill amended 7. Bill passes vote S. : S. :