Maximizing YourHill Visits

Session Overview

• Background and Overview of the Legislative Process• Review Key Congressional Committees• SNA’s CNR Strategy• Preparing for Your Hill Visits

How a Bill Becomes a Law…

if only it was this simple!

Game Changer:Congress’ Casualty List

• Appointed to Senate: 1 House (R)• Elected to Other Office: 1 House (D)• Running for Senate: 12 House (3D, 9R)• Running for Other Office: 4 House (3D, 1R)• Retiring: 21 House (10D, 11R); 6 Senate (4D, 2R)• Resigning: 6 House (2D, 4R); 4 Senate (2D, 2R) • Died: 1 House (R); 1 Senate (D)

• TOTAL: 57 Vacant Seats!

Our Mission:

• Earning the support of current members for SNA’s CNR priorities• Starting from scratch with 57+ new

members in 2015!

Who is Responsible for Child Nutrition Bills in Congress?

• House Education and the Workforce Committee

• Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee

House Education and WorkforceJohn Kline (R-MN) George Miller (D-CA)

Retiring

Senate AgricultureDebbie Stabenow (D-MI) Thad Cochran (R-MS)

House Agriculture Appropriations

Robert Aderholt (R-AL) Sam Farr (D-CA)

Senate Agriculture Appropriations

Mark Pryor (D-AR) Roy Blunt (R-MO)

But Who Actually Writes the Bill?

Meet Wayne Stoskopf and “Mysterious Leg. Counsel”

Child Nutrition Programs• Permanently Authorized

- Funded

• CN Reauthorization 2015oDiscretionaryoVehicle for change

SNA’s Legislative Team

• Core TeamoWashington CounseloSNA Legislative StaffoPPL CommitteeoSNA PAC

Our Strategy:

• Educating key Members & staff

• Pushing for regulatory changes

• Drafting legislative language

YOU Can Make the Difference!

Getting Ready

• LAC agenda & conference program

• Know the Position Paper• Be a sponge• Attend sessions• Take notes• Ask questions• Develop key messages

Planning the Tuesday Hill Visit

• State Planning Meetingso Team strategies for

success• Dress for Success

o Comfortable shoes (Marble)

• Security• Be punctual

The Visit• Simple and consistent• Share the moment• Stay involved in the conversation• Study lobbying tips• Stay cool and bi-partisan• Follow-up

How to get around D.C.

• Metro System• Shared Taxi• Congressional

Guide• Map of Capitol

Hill

After your visit• Complete your feedback sheet and return to PPL

Committee• Thank you notes:

o Thank them for meeting with youo Recap the highlights of the meetingo Confirm that you will follow up on information

they requestedo Include your contact information

• Follow up

The Responsibilities of Democracy

• The power of “one”• Speak for those who

cannot• Be a champion for

change

Just one more thing…

CONGRATULATIONS!