the federal legislative process the basics mr. ognibene-shs ap government

The Federal The Federal Legislative ProcessLegislative Process

The BasicsMr. Ognibene-SHSAP Government

Understanding the Federal Understanding the Federal Legislative ProcessLegislative Process

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Learn the Basics of the Federal Legislative ProcessLearn the Basics of the Federal Legislative Process Understand How a Bill Becomes a LawUnderstand How a Bill Becomes a Law Understand the Committee Structure and the Role Understand the Committee Structure and the Role

in the Legislative Processin the Legislative Process Learn about Federal Agencies and the Regulatory Learn about Federal Agencies and the Regulatory

ProcessProcess Learn How to Obtain Congressional DocumentsLearn How to Obtain Congressional Documents

CongressCongress

535 Members of Congress535 Members of Congress

SenateSenate

100 Members100 MembersAddressed As :Addressed As :SenatorSenator

House of House of Representatives Representatives

435 Members435 MembersAddressed As :Addressed As :Congressman/womanCongressman/womanRepresentativeRepresentativeMr./Ms.Mr./Ms.

The Federal Legislative The Federal Legislative ProcessProcess


General Facts Regarding CongressGeneral Facts Regarding Congress

Lasts for two yearsLasts for two years

Commences in January of the year following the Commences in January of the year following the biennial election of Membersbiennial election of Members

Divided into two sessionsDivided into two sessions


Larger (435)Larger (435) Elected every 2 yearsElected every 2 years More restraintsMore restraints Smaller constituencySmaller constituency Specialists (avg 2 Specialists (avg 2

committees)committees) Less media coverageLess media coverage Power less evenly Power less evenly

distributeddistributed Less reliant on staffLess reliant on staff More partisanMore partisan Only the House of Only the House of

Representatives Representatives originates revenue bills originates revenue bills

Smaller (100): 2 from each Smaller (100): 2 from each statestate

Elected every 6 yearsElected every 6 years Fewer restraintsFewer restraints Larger constituencyLarger constituency Generalists (avg 4 Generalists (avg 4

committees)committees) More media coverageMore media coverage Power more evenly Power more evenly

distributeddistributed More reliant on staffMore reliant on staff Less partisanLess partisan Only the Senate consents Only the Senate consents

to treaties and certain to treaties and certain nominations nominations

Differences Between House and SenateDifferences Between House and Senate


A SenatorA Senator Be at least 30 years oldBe at least 30 years old Be a U.S. citizen for the past 9 yearsBe a U.S. citizen for the past 9 years When elected, be a resident of the state When elected, be a resident of the state

they representthey represent Six year termSix year term One-third of the total membership of the One-third of the total membership of the

Senate is elected every 2 yearsSenate is elected every 2 years There is no limit on the number of terms a There is no limit on the number of terms a

senator can serve senator can serve


A Congresswoman/manA Congresswoman/man Be at least 25 years oldBe at least 25 years old Be a U.S. citizen for the past 7 yearsBe a U.S. citizen for the past 7 years When elected, be a resident of the When elected, be a resident of the

state they representstate they represent Two year termTwo year term There is no limit on the number of There is no limit on the number of

terms a representative can serve terms a representative can serve


112112thth Congress CongressHouseHouse SenateSenate

RepublicansRepublicans 241241 4747

DemocratsDemocrats 191191 5353

IndependentIndependentss

22

VacanciesVacancies 33

Questions??Questions??


HOW A BILL BECOMES HOW A BILL BECOMES

LAWLAW

Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on HealthSubcommittee on Health

National Institute of Health (NIH)National Institute of Health (NIH) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration (SAMHSA)Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on HealthSubcommittee on Health Subcommittee on Human ResourcesSubcommittee on Human Resources

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)(TANF)

Key U.S. House of Representatives Key U.S. House of Representatives CommitteesCommittees


Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Education ReformSubcommittee on Education Reform

Head Start ActHead Start Act No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act

(IDEA)(IDEA) Subcommittee on Select EducationSubcommittee on Select Education


Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Subcommittee on Department Operations,

Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition and ForestryOversight, Dairy, Nutrition and Forestry Part of TANFPart of TANF

Committee of Government Reform Subcommittee of Criminal Justice, Drug Policy Subcommittee of Criminal Justice, Drug Policy

and Human Resourcesand Human Resources

Key U.S. Senate CommitteesKey U.S. Senate Committees

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONSPENSIONS Health SubcommitteeHealth Subcommittee

National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA)Administration (SAMHSA)

Education SubcommitteeEducation Subcommittee Head Start ActHead Start Act No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) Individuals with Disabilities in EducationIndividuals with Disabilities in Education Act Act

(IDEA)(IDEA)

Key U.S. Senate CommitteesKey U.S. Senate Committees

JUDICIARY COMMITTEEJUDICIARY COMMITTEE Subcommittee on Crime and DrugsSubcommittee on Crime and Drugs

Violence Against Women’s OfficeViolence Against Women’s Office Youth Violence and Related IssuesYouth Violence and Related Issues

Only ~6% of All Bills Only ~6% of All Bills Introduced Become Public Introduced Become Public

Law*Law*

8,467

498

Laws Bills

*108th Congress Data

Legislation must survive numerous votes before final Legislation must survive numerous votes before final passage.passage.

Committee members play a more powerful role than Committee members play a more powerful role than non-committee members.non-committee members.

Tactics exist to expedite, stall, or circumvent this Tactics exist to expedite, stall, or circumvent this process e.g., suspension of the rules (House); process e.g., suspension of the rules (House); filibuster (Senate).filibuster (Senate).


What You Need to Know About Law What You Need to Know About Law MakingMaking


Glossary of Legislative TermsGlossary of Legislative Terms BILLBILL: A proposed law.: A proposed law.

ACTACT: A bill or measure after it passes one or both : A bill or measure after it passes one or both chambers.chambers.

CONTINUING RESOLUTIONCONTINUING RESOLUTION: Legislation : Legislation providing continued funding for a federal providing continued funding for a federal department or program, usually at the previous department or program, usually at the previous fiscal-year level. A continuing resolution is used fiscal-year level. A continuing resolution is used when Congress has failed to pass a necessary when Congress has failed to pass a necessary appropriations bill for a new fiscal year.appropriations bill for a new fiscal year.


Glossary of Legislative TermsGlossary of Legislative Terms FEDERAL REGISTERFEDERAL REGISTER:: The federal government’s daily The federal government’s daily

publication of final regulations, proposed regulations, publication of final regulations, proposed regulations, funding priorities, grant applications deadlines, funding priorities, grant applications deadlines, meetings, and other notices announced by federal meetings, and other notices announced by federal agencies and offices, published by the U.S. agencies and offices, published by the U.S. Government Printing OfficeGovernment Printing Office..

U.S. CODEU.S. CODE:: A compilation of all general and A compilation of all general and permanent laws currently in effect. It’s arranged by permanent laws currently in effect. It’s arranged by subject matter, and it shows the present status of laws subject matter, and it shows the present status of laws that have been amended on one or more occasions.that have been amended on one or more occasions.


Glossary of Legislative TermsGlossary of Legislative Terms

FISCAL YEAR:FISCAL YEAR: A 12-month period for using A 12-month period for using federal funds.federal funds.

The fiscal year for the Federal Government The fiscal year for the Federal Government begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.

The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends. in which it ends.

For example, FY 2005 began on October 1, 2004 For example, FY 2005 began on October 1, 2004 and ends on September 30, 2005.and ends on September 30, 2005.


Glossary of Legislative TermsGlossary of Legislative Terms ““LAME DUCK” SESSION: LAME DUCK” SESSION: When Congress (or When Congress (or

either chamber) reconvenes in an even-either chamber) reconvenes in an even-numbered year following the November numbered year following the November general elections to consider various items of general elections to consider various items of business.business.

Some lawmakers who return for this session will Some lawmakers who return for this session will not be in the next Congress. Hence, they are not be in the next Congress. Hence, they are informally called “lame duck” Members informally called “lame duck” Members participating in a “lame duck” session.participating in a “lame duck” session.


Glossary of Legislative TermsGlossary of Legislative Terms FILIBUSTER:FILIBUSTER: Any attempt to block or delay Any attempt to block or delay

Senate action on a bill or other matter by Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering numerous debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions.delaying or obstructive actions.

Easier in the Senate than the House because Easier in the Senate than the House because of the Senate’s more relaxed rules controlling of the Senate’s more relaxed rules controlling debatedebate


Glossary of Legislative TermsGlossary of Legislative Terms HEARING:HEARING: A meeting of a committee or A meeting of a committee or

subcommittee -- generally open to the public - to subcommittee -- generally open to the public - to take testimony in order to gather information and take testimony in order to gather information and opinions on proposed legislation, to conduct an opinions on proposed legislation, to conduct an investigation, or review the operation or other investigation, or review the operation or other aspects of a Federal agency or program.aspects of a Federal agency or program.

MARKUP:MARKUP: The process by which congressional The process by which congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation.and rewrite proposed legislation.


Glossary of Legislative TermsGlossary of Legislative Terms

CONFEREES/CONFERENCE COMMITTEE:CONFEREES/CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: The The House and Senate appoint conferees to a House and Senate appoint conferees to a conference committee to resolve differences conference committee to resolve differences between House- and Senate passed versions of between House- and Senate passed versions of the same legislation.the same legislation.

The speaker of the House and the Senate majority The speaker of the House and the Senate majority leader appoint conferees, although, by tradition, they leader appoint conferees, although, by tradition, they usually appoint majority and minority members -in a usually appoint majority and minority members -in a five-to-two ratio- from the committees that had five-to-two ratio- from the committees that had jurisdiction over the legislationjurisdiction over the legislation


Legislation vs. RegulationLegislation vs. Regulation

LEGISLATIONLEGISLATION::

How a bill becomes a public law or private law How a bill becomes a public law or private law

Public laws affect society as a whole and Public laws affect society as a whole and private laws affect a particular person, family private laws affect a particular person, family or groupor group


Legislation vs. RegulationLegislation vs. RegulationREGULATIONREGULATION::

Rules enacted by federal governmental agencies Rules enacted by federal governmental agencies granted them by Congressgranted them by Congress

Proposed rules are first published in the Federal Proposed rules are first published in the Federal Register Register

Public comments and hearings on the proposed Public comments and hearings on the proposed regulations are then considered regulations are then considered

Once a regulation formally takes effect, it is known Once a regulation formally takes effect, it is known as a final rule and is published in the Code of as a final rule and is published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)Federal Regulations (CFR)

The Federal Legislative The Federal Legislative ProcessProcessThe PlayersThe Players SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Presiding officer of the House, Presiding officer of the House,

leader of the majority party in the House, and next in line to leader of the majority party in the House, and next in line to the vice president for succession to the presidency. the vice president for succession to the presidency. John John Boehner-R Ohio Boehner-R Ohio >>

MAJORITY LEADER:MAJORITY LEADER: Leader of the majority party in either the Leader of the majority party in either the House or the Senate. In the House, second in command to the House or the Senate. In the House, second in command to the Speaker. Elected by their party to manage and schedule the Speaker. Elected by their party to manage and schedule the legislative and executive business of the House or Senate. legislative and executive business of the House or Senate. Eric Eric Cantor-R Virginia Harry Reid D NevadaCantor-R Virginia Harry Reid D Nevada

The Federal Legislative The Federal Legislative ProcessProcessThe PlayersThe Players

MINORITY LEADER:MINORITY LEADER: Leader of the Leader of the minority party in the House or minority party in the House or Senate. Senate. Nancy Pelosi-D California Nancy Pelosi-D California HORHOR

Mitch McConnell R-KY SenateMitch McConnell R-KY Senate


CHAIR: CHAIR:

The presiding officer of a committee or The presiding officer of a committee or subcommittee. Chairmanship is based on subcommittee. Chairmanship is based on seniority of committee tenure, but they seniority of committee tenure, but they may not chair more than one standing may not chair more than one standing committee at a time.committee at a time.


RANKING MINORITY MEMBER: RANKING MINORITY MEMBER:

The highest ranking/first in seniority (and The highest ranking/first in seniority (and usually longest serving) minority member usually longest serving) minority member of a committee or subcommittee. They of a committee or subcommittee. They may not serve as ranking minority may not serve as ranking minority member on more than one standing member on more than one standing committee. committee.


Whip:Whip:

A legislator who is chosen to be assistant A legislator who is chosen to be assistant to the leader of the party.to the leader of the party.

Whips are chosen in both the House and the Whips are chosen in both the House and the Senate.Senate.

The Majority and Minority Whips (and their The Majority and Minority Whips (and their assistants) are responsible for mobilizing assistants) are responsible for mobilizing votes within their parties on major issues.votes within their parties on major issues.

In the absence of a party floor leader, the In the absence of a party floor leader, the whip often serves as acting floor leader. whip often serves as acting floor leader.

The Federal Legislative The Federal Legislative ProcessProcess The Role of Federal The Role of Federal

AgenciesAgencies*The Primary Role is to Advise Congress*

Federal agencies comment and make Federal agencies comment and make specific recommendations on legislative specific recommendations on legislative proposalsproposals

Information from agencies is very Information from agencies is very important (particularly on relevant grant important (particularly on relevant grant programs)programs)

Agencies often rely on the expertise of Agencies often rely on the expertise of associationsassociations

Obtaining Congressional Obtaining Congressional DocumentsDocuments

Thomas: Library of CongressThomas: Library of Congress http://thomas.loc.govhttp://thomas.loc.gov

Access: Government Printing OfficeAccess: Government Printing Office http://ww.gpoaccess.govhttp://ww.gpoaccess.gov

Committee HearingsCommittee Hearings http://www.senate.gov/http://www.senate.gov/ http://www.house.govhttp://www.house.gov http://www.capitolhearings.orghttp://www.capitolhearings.org

http://thomas.loc.gov/

http://ww.gpoaccess.gov/

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.house.gov/

http://www.capitolhearings.org/


THE APPROPRIATIONS THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESSPROCESS

Understanding the Appropriations Understanding the Appropriations ProcessProcess

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives Understand the budget and appropriations Understand the budget and appropriations

processprocess

Understand the difference between Understand the difference between mandatory and discretionary spendingmandatory and discretionary spending

Understand the differences between Understand the differences between authorization and appropriation of fundsauthorization and appropriation of funds

Understand the concept of an “earmark”Understand the concept of an “earmark”

President’s budget submitted to CongressPresident’s budget submitted to Congress

House Budget CommitteeHouse Budget Committeeformulates resolutionformulates resolution

Senate Budget CommitteeSenate Budget Committeeformulates resolutionformulates resolution

House floor votesHouse floor votes Senate floor votesSenate floor votes

Budget conference committeeBudget conference committeereports out the resolution on the budgetreports out the resolution on the budget

House floor voteHouse floor vote Senate floor voteSenate floor vote

Senate AppropriationsSenate AppropriationsCommittee reportsCommittee reports

appropriations measures to appropriations measures to comply with the budgetcomply with the budgetresolutions (allocations)resolutions (allocations)

House: SeparateHouse: Separateappropriations bills/reportsappropriations bills/reports

Senate: SeparateSenate: Separateappropriations bills/reportsappropriations bills/reports

ConferenceConferenceCommitteesCommittees

The president may sign or veto the separate billsThe president may sign or veto the separate bills

Senate votes onSenate votes onconference reportconference report

House votes onHouse votes onconference reportconference report

House AppropriationsHouse AppropriationsCommittee reportsCommittee reports

appropriations measures to appropriations measures to comply with the budgetcomply with the budgetresolutions (allocations)resolutions (allocations)

Spending allocations and reconciliation instructionsSpending allocations and reconciliation instructions(optional) sent to committees of jurisdiction(optional) sent to committees of jurisdiction

Federal Budget Process Federal Budget Process

Congress must pass a budget bill every yearCongress must pass a budget bill every year

The President submits a budget proposalThe President submits a budget proposal

A budget resolution outlines revenue and A budget resolution outlines revenue and spending for the upcoming yearspending for the upcoming year

A budget resolution does not require the A budget resolution does not require the President’s signature but a single version of the President’s signature but a single version of the bill must be agreed to by the House and Senate -bill must be agreed to by the House and Senate -through a conference agreementthrough a conference agreement

The Federal Budget ProcessThe Federal Budget Process Congress often uses a two-step reconciliation process triggered when the budget resolution includes instructions to one or more committee(s) directing them:

to recommend changes in revenue or spending laws necessary to achieve the overall levels agreed to the recommendations are then considered in one or more reconciliation measures under expedited procedures.

A reconciliation bill must be passed by both Houses and signed by the President. It is binding.

The Budget The Budget

& Appropriations Cycle& Appropriations Cycle

VSA

Nov to JanNov to Jan Agency budget developmentAgency budget development Jan 20Jan 20 State of the Union addressState of the Union address Nov to FebNov to Feb Preparation of President’s Budget Preparation of President’s Budget FebruaryFebruary President’s Budget releasedPresident’s Budget released Feb to Apr Feb to Apr Congressional Budget Resolution approvedCongressional Budget Resolution approved Jan to AprJan to Apr Appropriations hearings on budAppropriations hearings on bud getget May to JunMay to Jun Appropriations subcommittee allocationsAppropriations subcommittee allocations May to AugMay to Aug MarkMark - -up of House subcommittee appropriationsup of House subcommittee appropriations May to AugMay to Aug Subcommittee, full committee, House passageSubcommittee, full committee, House passage Jun to SepJun to Sep Senate action in subcommittee, full committeeSenate action in subcommittee, full committee Jun to SepJun to Sep Senate action onSenate action on floorfloor Sep to NovSep to Nov HouseHouse-SenateSenate conferenceconference to resolve differencesto resolve differences

Oct 1Oct 1 Fiscal year beginsFiscal year begins

VSA

Budget Functions of Budget Functions of Congressional Congressional CommitteesCommittees

Revenue CommitteesRevenue Committees TaxTax

Budget CommitteesBudget Committees Set over all budget based on revenues and Set over all budget based on revenues and

expendituresexpenditures Authorizing CommitteesAuthorizing Committees

Setting ceilings for program fundingSetting ceilings for program funding Appropriations CommitteesAppropriations Committees

FundingFunding

Federal Expenditures Federal Expenditures OutlaysOutlays

Mandatory SpendingMandatory Spending

Permanent laws which Permanent laws which automatically fund automatically fund programsprograms

Entitlement Programs Entitlement Programs (e.g. Medicare and (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid)Medicaid)

Discretionary Discretionary SpendingSpending

Provides annual Provides annual appropriationsappropriations

Includes defense, Includes defense, human resources, and human resources, and physical resources physical resources

Discretionary Discretionary spending has declined spending has declined from 2/3 to 1/3 in the from 2/3 to 1/3 in the past 10 yearspast 10 years

CRS

If mandatory spending If mandatory spending increases and defense increases and defense spending increases… spending increases…

What happens to the What happens to the small piece of the small piece of the discretionary pie that’s discretionary pie that’s left?left?

Trends in Federal SpendingTrends in Federal Spending

THE FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS THE FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS PROCESSPROCESS

Things to Keep in Mind…Things to Keep in Mind…

Everyone wants a piece of the (discretionary) Everyone wants a piece of the (discretionary) piepie

The pie is shrinking; and consumers are The pie is shrinking; and consumers are increasingincreasing

Patience and persistence yield a larger piece of Patience and persistence yield a larger piece of the piethe pie

The prize can change in the middle of the gameThe prize can change in the middle of the game

Sometimes small wins are big victoriesSometimes small wins are big victories

The Federal Appropriations The Federal Appropriations ProcessProcess

Overview of Appropriation BillsOverview of Appropriation Bills Appropriation Bills Determine the Precise Appropriation Bills Determine the Precise

Amount of Money each Program/Agency Amount of Money each Program/Agency ReceivesReceives

There are 13 separate appropriations bills (they There are 13 separate appropriations bills (they originate in different subcommittees)originate in different subcommittees)

The constitution requires that all money (tax The constitution requires that all money (tax and appropriations) bills originate in the Houseand appropriations) bills originate in the House

The final bill establishes funding for all federal The final bill establishes funding for all federal programsprograms

Appropriations Bills Must be Passed AnnuallyAppropriations Bills Must be Passed Annually

2004 Omnibus Appropriations 2004 Omnibus Appropriations BillBill

3,00

0 pa

ges


Authorization vs. AppropriationAuthorization vs. Appropriation

AUTHORIZATION: An authorization act is a law that:

establishes or continues one or more Federal agencies or programs,

establishes the terms and conditions under which they operate,

authorizes the enactment of appropriations, and specifies how appropriated funds are to be used.

APPROPRIATION: Legislation that provides funds for a specific purpose.


Authorizations vs. AppropriationsAuthorizations vs. Appropriations Principle #1: Appropriations legislation even when enacted in

violation of House or Senate rules is valid law

Principle #2: Appropriations law can repeal/amend authorizing legislation

Principle #3: When two laws are in conflict, the more recent statute governs

The Federal Appropriations Process

Appropriations: Deviations from the

Norm Congress has trouble meeting their deadlines

Continuing Resolutions (CR’s): emergency funding bills CR’s are increasingly used to provide funds

for entire fiscal years

Because of the threat of a government shut down, CR’s can be used for moving other legislation


Are We Asking For Earmarks?Are We Asking For Earmarks?

Is it Congressional Project or Is it Congressional Project or Pork Barrel Pork Barrel SpendingSpending??

Setting aside $$ for specific projects Setting aside $$ for specific projects

What’s the Difference Between Hard vs. Soft What’s the Difference Between Hard vs. Soft Earmark? Earmark?

Hard:Hard: funding directed specifically to an entity funding directed specifically to an entity in a designated geographic areain a designated geographic area

SoftSoft: funding to be spent on a particular : funding to be spent on a particular activity in which an entity is part of a group that activity in which an entity is part of a group that may competing for funds/funding for a program may competing for funds/funding for a program without authorizationwithout authorization


Are We Asking For Earmarks?Are We Asking For Earmarks? Earmarks have shot up 65% in the last 10 yearsEarmarks have shot up 65% in the last 10 years

There are approximately 10,000 “pork barrel” There are approximately 10,000 “pork barrel” projects in the regular fiscal year appropriations projects in the regular fiscal year appropriations bills—worth over $20 billionbills—worth over $20 billion

Approximately 4,000 earmark requests Approximately 4,000 earmark requests are received each year by the Labor, Health and are received each year by the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education legislationHuman Services, and Education legislation


How to Get an EarmarkHow to Get an Earmark?? Member of Congress Must Make RequestMember of Congress Must Make Request

Competition for earmarks has increasedCompetition for earmarks has increased

Appropriations (Sub) committees must receive Appropriations (Sub) committees must receive letters of supportletters of support

Letters must be sent prior to spring mark-upsLetters must be sent prior to spring mark-ups


When is an Earmark “Pork”?When is an Earmark “Pork”? NOT specifically authorizedNOT specifically authorized

NOT competitively awardedNOT competitively awarded

NOT requested by the PresidentNOT requested by the President

Serves ONLY a local or special interestServes ONLY a local or special interest

NOT subjected to congressional hearingsNOT subjected to congressional hearings

Greatly EXCEEDS the President’s budget request Greatly EXCEEDS the President’s budget request or previous year’s funding.or previous year’s funding.

Requested by ONLY ONE Chamber of Congress.Requested by ONLY ONE Chamber of Congress.

Timing Is All Timing Is All Important…Important…

Get your “wish” in Get your “wish” in early!early!

Wish ListWish List

Excuses,Excuses,ExcusesExcuses


An Appropriations Request May An Appropriations Request May IncludeInclude

Dollar AmountDollar Amount

Report Report LanguageLanguage

Why Bother With Why Bother With Appropriations?Appropriations?

Gotta go where the $$$ is!!Gotta go where the $$$ is!!

The Federal Appropriations ProcessThe Federal Appropriations ProcessEssential Elements of a Successful Essential Elements of a Successful

Appropriations StrategyAppropriations Strategy

VisibilityVisibility AccessAccess IntelligenceIntelligence Defensible PositionsDefensible Positions TimingTiming ChampionsChampions

VSA

It’s Not Over, It’s Not Over, Until it’s OverUntil it’s Over

Keep in Mind the Keep in Mind the

Prize Can Prize Can ChangeChange

Remember,Remember,SMALLSMALL wins can be wins can be BIGBIG victories!victories!

The State Legislative The State Legislative ProcessProcess

The BasicsThe Basics

Understanding the State Legislative Understanding the State Legislative ProcessProcess

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Learn the Basics of the State Learn the Basics of the State Legislative ProcessLegislative Process

Learn How to Find Out More about Learn How to Find Out More about Your State, Local and Community Your State, Local and Community GovernmentGovernment

The State Legislative ProcessThe State Legislative ProcessHow a Bill Becomes LawHow a Bill Becomes Law

The process is similar to the Federal The process is similar to the Federal legislative processlegislative process New York has a Senate and an AssemblyNew York has a Senate and an Assembly

The need for Governor approval may The need for Governor approval may varyvary

Due to the timing of congressional Due to the timing of congressional sessions, strict deadlines may existsessions, strict deadlines may exist

What is the Process Like in Your What is the Process Like in Your State?State?

NYS Gov: Andrew Cuomo (D)NYS Gov: Andrew Cuomo (D)Lt. Gov: Bob DuffyLt. Gov: Bob Duffy

Speaker of the Assembly: Sheldon Speaker of the Assembly: Sheldon Silver (D)Silver (D)

Senate Majority Leader:Senate Majority Leader:Dean Skelos (R)Dean Skelos (R)

Your NYS Your NYS Senator+AssemblymenSenator+Assemblymen

George Amedore Jim George Amedore Jim TediscoTedisco

District 105District 105 District District110110

Hugh FarleyHugh Farley

NYS SenateNYS Senate

District 44District 44

http://www.nysenate.gov/files/profile-pictures/SD44_Farley.jpg

http://www.nysenate.gov/files/profile-pictures/SD44_Farley.jpg

Effective Congressional Effective Congressional ContactContact

What’s Most Important to LegislatorsWhat’s Most Important to Legislators??

National and State Policy Economic Health Getting Re-elected Getting Media Attention Beating the Opposition Party Addressing District Needs


What’s the one thing What’s the one thing legislators can’t do legislators can’t do

without?without?

CONSTITUENTS!!CONSTITUENTS!!


Constituents ProvideConstituents Provide Local informationLocal information ““Real-life” ExamplesReal-life” Examples Professional ExpertiseProfessional Expertise Access to District VotersAccess to District Voters News Media OpportunitiesNews Media Opportunities


COMMUNICATION…COMMUNICATION…

GETTING YOUR MESSAGE GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSSACROSS

Grassroots Advocacy:Grassroots Advocacy:Getting Involved at theGetting Involved at the

FederalFederalStateState

and Local Levelsand Local Levels

How to Identify Your How to Identify Your Federal RepresentativesFederal Representatives

The APA Public PolicyThe APA Public Policy

TAKE ACTIONTAKE ACTION

http://capwiz.com/apapolicy/home/http://capwiz.com/apapolicy/home/

Simply Type in Your Simply Type in Your

ZIP CODE ZIP CODE

Contact YourContact YourRepresentativesRepresentatives

Make Phone CallsMake Phone Calls Asking for their support of a particular issueAsking for their support of a particular issue

Write E-MailsWrite E-Mails About Important Issues and LegislationAbout Important Issues and Legislation

Plan VisitsPlan Visits Personal Meetings with Member of Personal Meetings with Member of

Congress/staffCongress/staff Attend town hall meetingsAttend town hall meetings

Contact Your Contact Your Federal Representatives In Federal Representatives In

Washington DCWashington DC CALL CALL

Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121 Ask to be connected to your Senator or Ask to be connected to your Senator or

Representative’s office.Representative’s office.

E-MailE-Mail(Your Congressman)(Your Congressman)

U.S. House of RepresentativesU.S. House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515Washington, DC 20515

(Your Senator)(Your Senator)U.S. SenateU.S. Senate

Washington, DC 20515Washington, DC 20515

Contact Your Federal Contact Your Federal Representatives LocallyRepresentatives Locally

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Type in:Type in: ZIP CODEZIP CODE

Additional Info:Additional Info: Click on Click on Info Info for for Biographical DataBiographical DataLocal Contact information Local Contact information Home Home WebpageWebpage

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How to Identify Your How to Identify Your State and Local State and Local RepresentativesRepresentatives

The National Conference of State The National Conference of State LegislatorsLegislators

Links to State Legislature Home PagesLinks to State Legislature Home Pages http://www.ncsl.org/public/leglinks.cfmhttp://www.ncsl.org/public/leglinks.cfm

Congress.OrgCongress.Org

Listings of State and Local Listings of State and Local Representatives by Home AddressRepresentatives by Home Address http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbg/officialshttp://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbg/officials

http://www.ncsl.org/public/leglinks.cfm

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbg/officials

Contact YourContact YourState RepresentativesState Representatives

Make Phone CallsMake Phone Calls Asking for their support of a particular issueAsking for their support of a particular issue

Write E-MailsWrite E-Mails About Important Issues and LegislationAbout Important Issues and Legislation

Plan VisitsPlan Visits Personal Meetings with Member of Personal Meetings with Member of

Congress/staffCongress/staff Attend town hall meetingsAttend town hall meetings

Federal, State and Local Advocacy

You can Advocate with You can Advocate with

Your Federal Representatives on Your Federal Representatives on theirtheir

““home turf”home turf”

ANDAND

You can Advocate withYou can Advocate with

State and other Local OfficialsState and other Local Officials

Federal, State and Local Federal, State and Local AdvocacyAdvocacy

Get students, friends, colleagues, faculty, Get students, friends, colleagues, faculty, community, and consumer groups involvedcommunity, and consumer groups involved

Contact and be active in State/Local Contact and be active in State/Local Psychological AssociationPsychological Association

Write Letters to the EditorWrite Letters to the Editor

Get to Know and Work with City CouncilGet to Know and Work with City Council

Invest in Your CommunityInvest in Your Community

Writing a Constituent Writing a Constituent LetterLetter

The 7 “Be’s” of Writing an The 7 “Be’s” of Writing an Effective Constituent LetterEffective Constituent Letter

Be DirectBe Direct Be InformativeBe Informative Be Constructive Be Constructive Be PoliticalBe Political Be AvailableBe Available Be AppreciativeBe Appreciative Be InquiringBe Inquiring

Sample EmailSample EmailTO:TO: [Member of Congress][Member of Congress]FROM: [Your Name]FROM: [Your Name]

Dear [Member of Congress]Dear [Member of Congress]As a constituent and a psychologist, I am writing to As a constituent and a psychologist, I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 3593, the Campus Care urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 3593, the Campus Care and Counseling Act, which was introduced by and Counseling Act, which was introduced by Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and Tom Osborne Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and Tom Osborne (R-NE). This bill…[add details, local data, etc.] It is for (R-NE). This bill…[add details, local data, etc.] It is for these reasons that I urge you to co-sponsor the these reasons that I urge you to co-sponsor the Campus Care and Counseling Act (HR 3593). Thank Campus Care and Counseling Act (HR 3593). Thank you for your time and consideration of my request. you for your time and consideration of my request.

[Your Name][Your Name][Full Contact Information][Full Contact Information]

the federal legislative process the basics mr. ognibene-shs ap government

Documents

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federal agencies

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