Thank you for joining us! Future Webinars Alternative Ways to Engage Legislators (October 26) 2017 Fall Meeting Science Policy Events: Sneak Peek (late Fall) Housekeeping Use the chat box to ask questions at any time We ll also leave plenty of time for questions at the end The webinar will be recorded and archived online 1 This webinar is off-the-record
Understanding Congressional Committees to Your Advantage Back to Basics Webinar Series 7 September 2017 9/7/17 2
Roadmap Speaker Introductions Committee Primer Why Engage When to Engage Resources 3
Today s Speakers Timia Crisp Brittany Webster 4 Carissa Bunge
What is a Congressional Committee and what do they do? Timia Crisp, Public Affairs Analyst 9/7/17 5
What is a Congressional Committee? I know not how better to describe our form of government in a single phrase than by calling it a government by the chairmen of the Standing Committees of Congress. 6
Standing Congressional Committees Standing Committee Special or Select Committee Joint Committees Permanent Committees Chamber rules 16 Senate 20 House Temporary committees Study or investigation 4 Senate 2 House Senators & Representatives Narrow purview No legislation 4 Total 7 Conference committee Each committee adopts its own rules Standing committees authorization and appropriations Expertise and time for information gathering Important (and powerful) part of the legislative process
Structure of Congressional Committees Full Committee House Science, Space, & Technology Subcommittees Energy Environment Space Research & Technology Oversight Committee Members Both parties Minority vs. Majority Members of Congress serve on multiple subcommittees 8
Congressional Committees: Leadership Chairman Highest ranking member of the majority (Republicans) Sets the agenda Presides over the committee Ranking Member Highest ranking member of the minority (Democrats) Responds to the agenda Sometimes serves to slow the process 9
Congressional Committee Assignments Assignments by party each congressional session Consider preference, seniority, and politics Elections for new committee members Term limits Retirement 10 Sen. Barbara Mikulski Appropriations Retired Sen. Patrick Leahy Appropriations New Ranking
Congressional Committee Assignments Assignments by party each congressional session Consider preference, seniority, and politics Elections for new committee members Term limits Retirement Rep. Lamar Smith House Science Term Limited Potential Candidates 11
Committee vs. Personal Staff Members and staff 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, senior members' most trusted and effective aides may be extremely influential in their own right, and act as a conduit to their member Members Congressional Committee staff Personal office staff 12
Committee vs. Personal 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 constituent- service matters, depending on needs of district Committee Staff Hired by chairman or ranking member of committee; nominally work for all Democratic or 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, 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 13
Committee vs. Personal Staff Committee Members Committee Member Subcommittee Chair Committee Chair Committee Member Investigations Subcommittee Chair Committee Staff Staff Director Press Secretary Subcommittee Staff Director Deputy Staff Director Chief Counsel Chief Investigator Policy Advisors Issue Experts Policy Analysts Investigative Staff Analysis Although Congressional committee staff are officially hired by the committee chair or ranking member, some committees (especially Appropriations) will allow subcommittee chairs or even ordinary members to designate staff as their own 14
Committee Jurisdiction and Legislation Carissa Bunge, Senior Specialist 9/7/17 15
Committee vs. Personal Staff Gun Issues Immigration Aerospace Committee Staff Science Transportation Personal Office Staff Environment Water Small Business Judiciary Science Environment 16
How a Bill Becomes a Law Representative Introduces bill in the House Senator Introduces bill in the Senate House committee/subcommittee Bill is debated and amended Simple majority needed to proceed House floor Bill is debated and amended Speaker must allow a floor vote Simple majority needed to pass Senate committee/subcommittee Bill is debated and amended Simple majority needed to proceed Senate floor Bill is debated and amended 3/5 majority needed to end debate Simple majority needed to pass Final votes/conference committee If both chambers pass an identical bill, the bill is sent directly to the president If each chamber passes a similar bill with some differences, a conference committee is formed to reach compromise and combine the bills President The president can sign bills that have been passed by both chambers into law The president can reject a bill with a veto; Congress can override a veto by passing the bill in each chamber with a 2/3 majority
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Committee Jurisdiction: The subjects and functions assigned to a committee by rule, resolution, precedent, or practice, including legislative matters, oversight and investigations, and nominations of executive officers. 19
Example: House Science, Space and Technology Committee 20
Appropriations Committees House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (NOAA, NASA, NSF) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies (USGS, EPA) Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (NOAA, NASA, NSF) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies (USGS, EPA) 21
Science Committees House Space, Science and Technology Energy (DOE) Environment (EPA, NOAA, NASA) Oversight (NOAA, NASA, NSF, USGS, EPA, DOE) Research and Technology (OSTP, NSF, USGS) Space (NASA) Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Oceans, Atmospheres, Fisheries and Coast Guard (NOAA) Space, Science, and Competitiveness (NASA, NSF) Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security 22
Additional Science-Related Committees House Senate Natural Resources (USGS, NOAA) Energy and Commerce (DOE, EPA) Energy and Natural Resources (DOE, USGS) Environment and Public Works (EPA) 23
Committees in Action! Example: Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act (H.R. 3086 or S.141) A bill to improve understanding and forecasting of space weather events, and for other purposes. 1/12/17: Introduced by Sen. Gary Peters (D- MI) and referred to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (CST) 1/24/17: Marked Up Senate CST Senate Action 3/30/17: Reported favorably by Senate CST 5/2/17: Passed Senate 5/2/17 5/3/17: Received in House 24
Committees in Action! Example: Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act (H.R. 3086 or S.141) A bill to improve understanding and forecasting of space weather events, and for other purposes. 6/27/17: Introduced by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D- CO- 7) House Action 6/27/17: Referred to the following committees Intelligence Foreign Affairs Transportation and Infrastructure Armed Services 6/28/17: Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation 7/26/17: Referred to Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces 25
Current Legislation Hazards National Landslide Preparedness Act (H.R. 1675 or S.698) National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act (S. 346) Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act (H.R. 3086 or S.141) Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act (H.R. 312 or S. 53) Scientific Integrity Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment (HONEST) Act (H.R. 1430) Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act (H.R. 1770 or S.760) Preserving Data in Government Act (S.690) Find more information about bills at Congress.gov 26
Key Decisions Points in Committee Process Brittany Webster, Senior Specialist 9/7/17 27
Key Committee Moments Appropriations Authorizers Ways to Engage at Key Moments 28
Appropriations Committee Process February March April May September 30 President releases budget request Senate passes budget resolution S H House passes budget resolution Congress passes combined budget Resolution Appropriations subcommittees draft bills x12 Subcommittees Senate s 12 appropriations bills Senate Bills X X X X X X X X X X X X House Bills X X X X X X X X X X X X House s 12 appropriations bills Congress combines and passes 12 bills Combined X X X X X X X X X X X X President signs into law all 12 bills, either alone or combined Appropriations bills are the only bills Congress has to pass every year! For a more detailed appropriations advocacy calendar, including when you can influence agency budget decisions, visit: https://sciencepolicy.agu.org/files/2017/01/advocacy- Calendar.pdf. 29
Opportunities Before the Bill is Drafted Make Appropriations Request Legislative Language Report Language Funding Levels Neutralize Negative Requests Sub- Committee Consideration Propose Amendments Committee Consideration Propose Amendments 30 Conference Support Best of Senate & House Versions
31 Authorizing Committee Process
Authorizing Committee Process Committee Priority or Authorization Expiring Committee Garners Support for Bill Committee Promotion of Bill for Passage Committee Gathers Intelligence Committee Consideration of Bill 32
Opportunities Before the Bill is Drafted Provide Background/Practical knowledge Express Your POV Build Support or Find a Champion for your Position Draft Bill Provide Feedback Provide Support Outreach Sub- Committee Consideration Propose Amendments Committee Consideration Propose Amendments Conference Support Best of House & Senate 33
Best Practices Earlier is Better Process Influences What Information is Relevant Do Your Homework Review All Related Legislation Read Past Report Language, Not Just the Bill Know Who s on Your Side and Understand the Other Side Make it Local 34
Not on a Relevant Committee? Regardless of committee assignments, members can: Cosponsor and sign onto legislation Make appropriations requests Ask that additional money be added to a budget to support a program or aim Dear Colleague letter A letter to other members of Congress urging action on a particular issue or Bill Meet with Delegation member on the committee Meet with committee chair, ranking member or staff; send staff to briefings, etc. Make floor statements VOTE on final legislation
Questions? 9/7/17 36
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Future Webinars Alternative Ways to Engage Legislators (October 26) 2017 Fall Meeting Science Policy Events: Sneak Peek (late Fall) 38
Thank you! Still want more? Sciencepolicy.agu.org Webinars.agu.org 39
Appendix Extra Documents 9/7/17 40
Budget: Key terms Mandatory Spending Discretionary Spending Mandatory spending, or entitlement spending, is not controlled by annual appropriations; the government allocates funds to all who are eligible regardless of cost to the Treasury; includes Social Security and Medicare Discretionary spending, or appropriated spending, must be renewed each year in order for the programs to continue operating; includes Defense and Education Budget Resolution Passed by the Senate and the House, sets overall spending limits but does not decide funding for specific programs Deeming Resolution Continuing Resolution Legislation used when the House and Senate have not agreed on a budget resolution; establishes enforceable budget levels for a budget cycle Legislation that permits a government agency to continue to operate at existing funding levels if a new appropriations bill to fund its operations has not been adopted by the start of the fiscal year (October 1) Regular Order Full passage of appropriations bills through both chambers by the start of the fiscal year on October 1 Omnibus Bill Combined package of appropriations bills that leadership in both chambers negotiate in order to pass a comprehensive budget 41
Key offices and committees involved House and Senate Budget Committees Draft annual budget resolutions and monitor the progress of appropriations House and Senate Appropriations Committees Decide spending levels for all discretionary programs, such as Defense and Education, after reviewing spending proposals from subcommittees House and Senate Ways and Means Committees Has jurisdiction over taxes and most mandatory programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Non- partisan branch of Congress that provides objective analyses needed for economic and budgetary decisions related to programs covered by the budget Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Works with agencies to coordinate spending requests that become part of the President s annual budget package 42