Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States

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1 Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States 2015 Legislative Workshop Phoenix Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. 1

2 EANGUS National Office Legislative Staff Represent EANGUS member interests Capitol Hill Military Coalition (TMC) Department of Defense // National Guard Bureau Inform EANGUS membership 2

Grassroots Advocacy Sunday, February 1, 2015 ; 1300 1400 ET Jeb

3 Grassroots Advocacy Sunday, February 1, 2015 ; ET Jeb Ory, CEO, Phone2Action Mobility The power of social media Live pledge 3

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Congressional 101 Sunday, February 1, 2015 ; 1400 1600 ET Overview of Federal Lawmaking Legislative

5 Congressional 101 Sunday, February 1, 2015 ; ET Overview of Federal Lawmaking Legislative Process Congressional Staffer Profiles Pertinent Committees Engagement Tips EANGUS Legislative Priorities 5

6 Overview of Federal Lawmaking The United States Congress is responsible for passing federal legislation and appropriating funds for federal and many state programs. The US Congress has 2 chambers the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each Congress has 2 sessions, each lasting 1 year. A new Congress always begins in January of odd-numbered years. National elections occur in November of the 2nd session of a Congress. Each chamber has its own leadership, its own committee structure, and its own set of rules. Senators serve 6 year terms and Representatives serve 2 year terms. Each state has 2 senators representing the entire state. The number of representatives for each state depends upon the state s population. This number may change every 10 years when the US Census is taken. 6

7 Public Policy Local, state, and federal governments have processes for enacting and changing the public policies and laws that affect Veterans. Public policy refers to a rule, guideline, or framework and can be defined broadly. Public policy is what government, together with advocates, chooses to do or not to do. This can happen at the local, state, or federal level. These public policies, bills, and regulations are enacted at the local, state, or federal level.

8 Legislative Process House Bill Senate Bill Conference Committee; Compromise Bill House Vote On Compromise Senate Vote On Compromise To President for Signature/Veto 8

9 Authorizations & Appropriations Congressional Defense Committees Authorization Committees House Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee (HAC-D) Senate Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee (SAC-D) Appropriation Committees House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) 9

10 Authorizing Legislation An authorizing measure can establish, continue, or modify an agency, program, or activity for a fixed or indefinite period of time. It also may set forth the duties and functions of an agency or program, its organizational structure, and the responsibilities of agency or program officials. 10

11 Authorizing Legislation Continued Authorizing legislation also authorizes, implicitly or explicitly, the enactment of appropriations for an agency or program. If explicit, the amount authorized to be appropriated may be specified for each fiscal year or may be indefinite (providing such sums as may be necessary ). The authorization of appropriations is intended to provide guidance regarding the appropriate amount of funds to carry out the authorized activities of an agency. 11

12 Appropriations Measures An appropriations measure provides budget authority to an agency for specified purposes. Budget authority allows federal agencies to incur obligations and authorizes payments to be made out of the Treasury. Discretionary agencies and programs, and appropriated entitlement programs, are funded each year in appropriations acts. 12

13 Appropriations Measures Continued The subcommittees of the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate are each responsible for one of the regular appropriations acts. The regular appropriations acts generally provide budget authority for the next fiscal year, beginning October 1. Congress usually adopts one or more supplemental appropriations acts to provide additional funding for unexpected needs while the fiscal year is in progress. If the regular appropriation acts are not completed by October 1, Congress typically adopts a continuing appropriations act, commonly referred to as a continuing resolution, to provide stop-gap funding. In some years, instead of adopting the regular appropriation measures individually, Congress may include several in an omnibus appropriations measure, or a continuing appropriations bill providing funding for the full fiscal year. 13

14 Legislative Cycle JAN-APR MAY-AUG SEPT-OCT House Appropriations Committee (HAC) HAC Reports Out Floor Vote HOUSE House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Floor Vote Conference NDAA Sent to President Conference Approps Bill Sent to President Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Floor Vote SENATE Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) SAC Reports Out Floor Vote 14

15 Congressional Defense Committees House Armed Services Committee Authorizers Senate Armed Services Committee National Defense Authorizations Bill (NDAA) House Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee Appropriations Bill ($$) Appropriators Senate Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee 15

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17 Congressional Staff Professional Staff Members (Committees) Senate = 340 House = 270 Personal Office Staff Members Senate = 3,400 House = 6,200 17

get a Defense Fellow (one per calendar year) Constituent focus Professional Staff Member ( PSM ) [2 star

18 Staff Profiles Congressional Members [4 star equivalent] Decreasing number of veterans Main focus is serving constituency and re-election Personal Staff [2 star equivalent] Military Legislative Assistant ( MLA ) Some offices get a Defense Fellow (one per calendar year) Constituent focus Professional Staff Member ( PSM ) [2 star equivalent] Work for Committee Chairman (Majority) or Ranking Member (Minority) Committee focus, but can have parochial interests 18

19 Professional Staff Members (PSMs) Employed by Committee Chair Works Specific Issues Crafts Legislation Organizes Hearings Age range: 40 s-50 s Graduate degree Average length of service is 5 years Salary Range varies by committee budget 19

20 Personal Office Staff Military Legislative Assistant (MLA) Employed by the Member Constituent Services Casework Focus Age range: Bachelor s Degree Average Length of Service is 2 years Salary depends on Member s budget 20

members) House Guard and Reserve Components Caucus Steven

21 Congressional Caucuses Senate National Guard Caucus Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Co-Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Co-Chair (85 members) House Guard and Reserve Components Caucus Steven Palazzo (R-MS) Co-Chair Tim Walz (D-MN) Co-Chair (Approximately 198 members) 21

22 Congressional Hearings Congress exercising oversight role of Department of Defense Chance for Members to ask questions to highlight Guard issues (i.e. Aviation Restructure Initiative) Theatrics Get witnesses on the record Consistent message (political) Address parochial interests when applicable National Guard Major Themes (as hearing witness) Consistent message Questions for the Record (QFR) when necessary 22

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24 House Committee Overviews 24

25 House Veterans Affairs Committee Overview Jurisdiction The House Committee on Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing issues related to the VA healthcare system and other benefits for veterans of the U.S. military. Major Upcoming Issues Continued Response to VA Hospital Fallout The committee is continuing to hold hearings and making necessary reforms after fallout from a scandal involving long wait times at VA hospitals that left veterans unable to receive care Suicide Prevention Veteran Status Legislation The military is dealing with a high rate of suicide for combat veterans; the committee is looking into legislative solutions and mental health care funding to help address the issue The Veteran Suicide Bill was blocked in the Senate at the end of 2014, but now the House reintroduces the Bill in hopes of passing it under the 114 th Congress Chairman: Jeff Miller (R-FL) Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Doug Lamborn (R-CO) Phil Roe (R-TN) Dan Benishek (R-MI) Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) Mike Coffman (R-CO) Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) Jackie Walorski (R-IN) Ralph Abraham (R-LA) Lee Zeldin (R-NY) Ryan Costello (R-PA) Mike Bost (R-IL) Aumua Amata (R-AS) Committee Members Republicans (14) Democrats (8) Ranking Member: Corrine Brown (D- FL) Mark Takano (D-CA) Julia Brownley (D-CA) Dana Titus (D-CA) Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) Raul Ruiz (D-CA) Ann Kuster (D-NH) Beto O Rourke (D-TX) 25

26 House Appropriations Committee Overview Jurisdiction The House Committee on Appropriations is responsible for setting expenditures of money by the government. Committee Members Major Upcoming Issues DHS Funding The Senate Appropriations committee will be responsible for funding the Department of Homeland Security after the lame duck continuing resolution expires in February 2015 The committee will be tasked with working with the House to create a legislative response to President Obama s immigration order FY2016 Budget After the House and Senate pass a budget resolution setting topline numbers, expect appropriations subcommittees to begin work immediately on the FY2016 appropriation bills Chairman: Hal Rogers (R-KY) Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) Robert Aderholt (R-AL) Kay Granger (R-TX) Michael Simpson (R-ID) John Culberson (R-TX) Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) John Carter (R-TX) Ken Calvert (R-CA) Tom Cole (R-OK) Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) Charles W. Dent (R-PA) Tom Graves (R-GA) Kevin Yoder (R-KS) Steve Womack (R-AR) Alan Nunnelee (R-MS) Republicans (30) Democrats (21) Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) Tom Rooney (R-FL) Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) Jaime Beutler (R-WA) David Joyce (R-OH) David Valadao (R-CA) Andy Harris (R-MD) Martha Roby (R-AL) Mark Amodei (R-NV) Chris Stewart (R-UT) Scott Rigell (R-VA) David Jolly (R-FL) David Young (R-IA) Evan Jenkins (R-WV) Ranking Member: Nita Lowey (D- NY) Steve Israel (D-NY) Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) Tim Ryan (D-OH) Pete Visclosky (D-IN) Chellie Pingree (D-ME) José Serrano (D-NY) Mike Quigley (D-IL) Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) Henry Cuellar (D-TX) David Price (D-NC) Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) Sam Farr (D-CA) Chaka Fattah (D-PA) Sanford Bishop (D-GA) Barbara Lee (D-CA) Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) Betty McCollum (D-MN) Adam Schiff (D-CA) Mike Honda (D-CA) Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) 26

27 House Armed Services Committee Overview Jurisdiction The House Armed Services Committee oversees the Department of Defense, United States armed forces, and portions of the Department of Energy. Committee Members Major Upcoming Issues National Security Environment Chairman Mac Thornberry (R- TX) announced that the committee will spend several weeks bringing members up to date on world events, such as the alleged North Korean cyber attacks, the Islamic State (ISIS), and the situation in Ukraine Defense Budget Sequestration Chairman Thornberry also announced a Republican retreat to focus on GOP priorities such as the impact sequestration could have on the Defense budget Republicans (36) Democrats (30) Chairman: Mac Thornberry (R-TX) Walter B. Jones (R-NC) J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) Jeff Miller (R-FL) Joseph Heck (R-NV) Joe Wilson (R-SC) Austin Scott (R-GA) Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ) Steven M. Palazzo (R-MS) Rob Bishop (R-UT) Mo Brooks (R-AL) Michael R. Turner (R-OH) Richard Nugent (R-FL) John Kline (R-MN) Paul Cook (R-CA) Mike Rogers (R-AL) Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) Trent Franks (R-AZ) Brad R. Wenstrup (R-OH) Bill Shuster (R-PA) Jackie Walorski (R-IN) Michael Conaway (R-TX) Bradley Byrne (R-AL) Doug Lamborn (R-CO) Sam Graves (R-MO) Robert J. Wittman (R-VA) Ryan Zinke (R-MT) Duncan Hunter (R-CA) Elise Stefanik (R-NY) John Fleming (R-LA) Martha McSally (R-AZ) Mike Coffman (R-CO) Steve Knight (R-CA) Chris P. Gibson (R-NY) Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) Ranking Member: Adam Smith (D- WA) Marc A. Veasey (D-TX) Loretta Sanches (D-CA) Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Robert A. Brady (D-PA) Timothy Walz (D-MN) Susan A. Davis (D-CA) Beto O Rourke (D-TX) James R. Langevin (D-RI) Donald Norcross (D-NJ) Rick Larsen (D-WA) Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) Jim Cooper (D-TN) Mark Takei (D-HI) Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) Gwen Graham (D-FL) Joe Courtney (D-CT) Brad Ashford (D-NE) David Loebsack (D-IA) Seth Moulton (D-MA) Niki Tsongas (D-MA) Pete Aguilar (D-CA) John Garamendi (D-CA) Hank Johnson Jr. (D-GA) Jackie Speier (D-CA) Andre Carson (D-IN) Derek Kilmer (D-WA) Joaquin Castro (D-TX) Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) Scott H. Peters (D-CA) 27

28 House Budget Committee Overview $ Jurisdiction The House Budget Committee is responsible for oversight of the federal budget process, including regular appropriations and funding for other programs. Committee Members Sequestration Major Upcoming Issues FY2016 Budget The House Budget Committee s next major item will be the FY2016 budget resolution, to be negotiated and passed with the Senate Debt Ceiling The debt limit will formally expire in March of 2015; the committee will be tasked with passing legislation to raise the ceiling as necessary, possibly with conditions attached Chairman: Tom Price (R-GA) Scott Garrett (R-NJ) Ken Calvert (R-CA) Tom Cole (R-OK) Tom McClintock (R-CA) Diane Black (R-TN) Todd Rokita (R-IN) Rob Woodall (R-GA) Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) Alan Nunnelee (R-MS) Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) Tom Rice (R-SC) Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) Mark Sanford (R-SC) Aaron Schock (R-IL) Dave Brat (R-VA) Rod Blum (R-IA) Republicans (22) Democrats (17) Glenn Grothman (R-WI) John Moolenaar (R-MI) Alex Mooney (R-WV) Gary Palmer (R-AL) Bruce Westerman (R-AR) Ranking Member: Chris Van Hollen (D- MD) John Yarmuth (D-KY) Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) Tim Ryan (D-OH) Gwen Moore (D-WI) Kathy Castor (D-FL) Jim McDermott (D-WA) Barbara Lee (D-CA) Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) Mark Pocan (D-WI) Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) Jared Huffman (D-CA) Tony Cardenas (D-CA) Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) Kurt Schrader (D-OR) Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) Dan Kildee (D-MI) 28

29 Senate Committee Overviews 29

30 Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Overview Jurisdiction The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing issues related to the VA healthcare system and other benefits for veterans of the U.S. military. Major Upcoming Issues Committee Members One independent caucuses with the Democrats Veterans Status Continued Response to VA Hospital Fallout The committee will continue to hold hearings and make necessary reforms in response to backlash from a scandal involving long wait times at VA hospitals that left veterans unable to receive care Suicide Prevention After a bill aimed at reducing veteran suicides was blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) in the lame duck session, expect the committee to return to this issue early on in 2015 Republicans (8) Chairman: Johnny Isakson (R-GA)* Jerry Moran (R-KS)* John Boozman (R-AR)* Dean Heller (R-NV) Bill Cassidy (R-LA) Mike Rounds (R-SD) Thom Tillis (R-NC) Dan Sullivan (R-AK) Democrats (7) Ranking Member: Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)* Patty Murray (D-WA)* Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Jon Tester (D-MT) Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Joe Manchin (D-WV) *Up for re-election in

31 Senate Appropriations Committee Overview Jurisdiction The Senate Appropriations Committee is responsible for all discretionary spending legislation in the Senate. It is also the largest committee in the Senate. Committee Members Sequestration DHS Funding FY2016 Budget Major Upcoming Issues The Senate Appropriations committee will be responsible for funding the Department of Homeland Security after the lame duck continuing resolution expires in February The committee will be tasked with working with the House to create a legislative response to President Obama s immigration order After the House and Senate pass a budget resolution, setting topline numbers, expect appropriations subcommittees to begin work immediately on the FY2016 appropriation bills Republicans (16) Chairman: Thad Cochran (R-MS) Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Susan Collins (R-ME) Richard Shelby (R-AL)* John Boozman (R-AR)* Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)* Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Mark Kirk (R-IL)* John Hoeven (R-ND)* Roy Blunt (R-MO)* Jerry Moran (R-KS)* Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) Bill Cassidy (R-LA) James Lankford (R-OK)* Steve Daines (R-MT) Democrats (14) Ranking Member: Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)* Patrick Leahy (D-VT)* Patty Murray (D-WA)* Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Richard Durbin (D-IL) Jack Reed (D-RI) Jon Tester (D-MT) Tom Udall (D-NM) Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Chris Coons (D-DE) Brian Schatz (D-HI)* Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Chris Murphy (D-CT) *Up for re-election in

32 Senate Armed Services Committee Overview $ Jurisdiction The Senate Committee on Armed Services is responsible for legislative oversight of the military, which includes legislation related to military research, nuclear energy, military benefits, and the Department of Defense. Major Upcoming Issues Committee Members U.S. Policy Towards Iraq and Syria and the Threat Posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) The Department of Defense s leaders agree that the United States and allies must maintain action against ISIL, and committee leadership is working to continue monitoring operations in the region Secretary of Defense Confirmation Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter s confirmation hearings to be the new Secretary of Defense will be a top priority for the committee as it enters the new year Republicans (14) Chairman: John McCain (R-AZ)* James Inhofe (R-OK) Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Roger Wicker (R-MS) Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)* Deb Fischer (R-NE) Tom Cotton (R-AR) Mike Rounds (R-SD) Joni Ernst (R-IA) Thom Tillis (R-NC) Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Dan Sullivan (R-AK) Mike Lee (R-UT)* Ted Cruz (R-TX) Democrats (12) Ranking Member: Jack Reed (D-RI) Bill Nelson (D-FL) Claire McCaskill (D-MO) Joe Manchin (D-WV) Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Joe Donnelly (D-IN) Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Tim Kaine (D-VA) Angus King (I-ME) Martin Heinrich (D-NM) *Up for re-election in

33 Senate Budget Committee Overview $ Jurisdiction The Senate Budget Committee is responsible for oversight of the federal budget process, including regular appropriations as well as the budgets of agencies and programs funded outside of the normal budgetary process. Committee Members Two Independents caucus with the Democrats FY2016 Budget Debt Ceiling Major Upcoming Issues The Senate Budget Committee s next major item will be the FY2016 budget resolution next year, to be negotiated and passed with the House The debt limit will formally expire in March of 2015; the committee will be tasked with passing legislation to raise the ceiling as necessary, possibly with conditions attached Republicans (12) Chairman: Mike Enzi (R-WY) Jeff Sessions, (R-AL) Chuck Grassley (R-IA)* Mike Crapo (R-ID)* Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Rob Portman (R-OH)* Pat Toomey (R-PA)* Ron Johnson (R-WI)* Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)* Roger Wicker (R-MS) Bob Corker (R-TN) David Perdue (R-GA) Democrats (10) Chairman: Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Patty Murray (D-WA)* Ron Wyden (D-OR)* Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Mark Warner (D-VA) Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Tim Kaine (D-VA) Angus King (I-ME) *Up for re-election in

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35 Engagement Tips How to be successful in your meeting Personal Office Staff Profile Breaking down your Capitol Hill meetings 35

36 Personal Office Staff Profile D.C. Office Staffers Chief of Staff Legislative Director Legislative Assistant // Military Fellow Legislative Correspondent Staff Assistant Intern 36

Tell front office staff your POC s name & meeting time Sign the

37 Your Meeting on Capitol Hill Walking in the door You will be greeted by an intern or staff assistant Be kind Introduce yourself Tell front office staff your POC s name & meeting time Sign the guestbook Take a seat or wait in the hallway if the office is overflowing 37

38 Your meeting will last 15 minutes 38

39 Introductions (5 minutes) *Your opportunity to a connection with the legislative staff* Introduce yourself Talk about your hometown Explain your role in the Guard Ask if staffer has military experience Talk about your EANGUS involvement 39

the staffer(s) Explain how to contact EANGUS Legislative

40 Policy discussion (5 minutes) Background Issue s importance to EANGUS members Leave behind a policy paper handout for the staffer(s) Explain how to contact EANGUS Legislative Staff Leave a business card or other personal contact information 40

41 Take a photo with your elected official (5 minutes) 41

42 Engagement Tips Continued 42

43 EANGUS Legislative Priorities Veteran Status: Amend Title 38 to include in the definition(s) of 'veteran' retirees of the Guard/Reserve components who have completed 20 or more years of service, but are not considered to be veterans under the current statutory definitions Educate Congress about the dangers of Sequestration Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI) Work to prohibit transfer of Apaches in FY16 Brief the National Commission on the Future of the Army Early access to TRICARE for Guardsmen mobilized for non-contingency operations 43

44 EANGUS Legislative Priorities Continued Tuition Assistance Change requirement that all service members must wait a period of 1 year after training before becoming eligible for the Army's Tuition Assistance Program Fix DOD/VA rule change that service members are no longer authorized to use both TA and DVA benefits from the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve program Fix rule that Military Technicians, serving in a temporary capacity, are required to enroll in FEHB health plan and drop TRICARE Reserve Select CLEP and DSST Testing: Restore funding for ANG spouses* Fund Counterdrug Task Force Fund Youth Challenge Program 44

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47 State & Local Update Did you know some states give benefits others do not? Free car tags (AL) Free hunting & fishing license (AK) No state income tax on drill pay or Title 10 or Title 32 income (KY) $250K death benefit for service members (LA) Military retirement income free from State taxes (OH) State Tuition Assistance (TN) 47

48 Legislative Cycle & Future Workshops JAN-APR MAY-AUG SEPT-OCT House Appropriations Committee (HAC) HAC Reports Out Floor Vote HOUSE House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Floor Vote Conference NDAA Sent to President Conference Approps Bill Sent to President Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Floor Vote SENATE Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) SAC Reports Out Floor Vote 48

49 2016 EANGUS Legislative Workshop Proposed changes for 2016 Date February and ask to partner with NGAUS February and continue to meet separately from NGAUS June Location Format Post-workshop survey distributed later in the month 49

50 Reports & Studies Total Force Optimization Study Reserve Forces Policy Board RC Use Mix Cost Savings Web Report Reserve Forces Policy Board Cost Methodology Final Report 11th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation Hamilton Project Brookings Roughead Paper 2013 Fiscal Year 2015 National Guard Equipment Report Comprehensive Review of the Future Role of the Reserve Component CNAS An Indispensable Force AC-RC Mix Report Military Compensation & Retirement Modernization Commission 50

51 Publications Defense News (particularly the Early Bird Brief delivered via ) DOD Buzz Army Times Air Force Times Military Times Politico National Journal 51

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New Leadership Presidential Transition

New Leadership Presidential Transition Intergovernmental Meeting November 2016 Seth Kirshenberg Executive Director New Leadership Really Means New Challenges New Opportunities What Do We Know Today? President-elect