Congressional Briefing Conference: Capitol Hill Workshop

Intensive 3-day Congressional Operations Briefing and Seminar

Judiciary Committee hearing on e-fairness, from Rep. Mike Pence

Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. This engaging workshop and seminar on legislative operations provides the full Capitol Hill experience as our Washington-based experts focus on these 3 P’s. They discuss the policy-making process and the legislative agenda, help you understand the congressional budget process, and demystify the culture of the U.S. Congress.

You will gain a solid understanding of:

• Congressional operations and the legislative process
• How public and foreign policy become law
• Congressional politics and leadership
• Congressional budgeting today
• The role of OMB in the legislative process
• Effective communication with Congress
• How the media covers the Hill
• How Congress affects every federal agency
• Current campaign and election trends
• How members of Congress advance their legislative, public policy and political agendas
• How personal and committee staff work
• How you can build win/win relationships with congressional staff

Attend a congressional hearing and see the process in action.

June 13-15, 2012, 8:30 am – 4 pm all three days.

Where: Location in Washington, DC will be announced on web site before course.


Approved for 1.7 CEUs from George Mason University.

This is a required course for the Certificate in Congressional Operations and for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy.

For more information, including agenda and secure online registration, see CongressionalBriefingConference.com

This course and any combination of its topics can be tailored for custom on-site presentation at your location and is available via the GSA Schedule.

Congressional Briefing Conference: Capitol Hill Workshop

Intensive 3-day congressional operations workshop

Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, by John Taylor

Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. In this engaging 3-day Congressional Briefing Conference, Washington-based experts discuss these 3 P’s and help you understand the complete policy-making process.

You’ll get a solid understanding of:

• Congressional operations and the legislative process
• How public and foreign policy become law
• Congressional politics and leadership
• Congressional budgeting today
• The role of OMB in the legislative process
• Effective communication with Congress
• How the media covers the Hill
• Current campaign and election trends
• How members of Congress advance their legislative, public policy and political agendas
• How personal and committee staff work
• How you can build win/win relationships with staffers

Attend a congressional hearing and see the process in action.

June 13-15, 2012, 8:30 am – 4 pm all three days.

Where: Location in Washington, DC will be announced on web site before course.


Approved for 1.7 CEUs from George Mason University.

This is a required course for the Certificate in Congressional Operations and for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy.

For more information, including agenda and secure online registration, see CongressionalBriefingConference.com

This course and any combination of its topics can be tailored for custom on-site presentation at your location and is available via the GSA Schedule.

Congressional Operations Briefing and Seminar: Capitol Hill Workshop

Intensive 3-day congressional operations workshop

Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, by John Taylor

Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. In this engaging 3-day Congressional Briefing Conference, Washington-based experts discuss these 3 P’s and help you understand the complete policy-making process.

You’ll get a solid understanding of:

• Congressional operations and the legislative process
• How public and foreign policy become law
• Congressional politics and leadership
• Congressional budgeting today
• The role of OMB in the legislative process
• Effective communication with Congress
• How the media covers the Hill
• Current campaign and election trends
• How members of Congress advance their legislative, public policy and political agendas
• How personal and committee staff work
• How you can build win/win relationships with staffers

Attend a congressional hearing and see the process in action.

June 13-15, 2012, 8:30 am – 4 pm all three days.


Approved for 1.7 CEUs from George Mason University.

Where: Washington, DC

This is a required course for the Certificate in Congressional Operations and for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy.

For more information, including agenda and secure online registration, see CongressionalBriefingConference.com

This course and any combination of its topics can be tailored for custom on-site presentation at your location and is available via the GSA Schedule.

Congressional Operations Briefing and Seminar: Capitol Hill Workshop

Intensive 3-day congressional operations workshop

Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, by John Taylor

Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. In this engaging 3-day Congressional Briefing Conference, Washington-based experts discuss these 3 P’s and help you understand the complete policy-making process.

You’ll get a solid understanding of:

• Congressional operations and the legislative process
• How public and foreign policy become law
• Congressional politics and leadership
• Congressional budgeting today
• The role of OMB in the legislative process
• Effective communication with Congress
• How the media covers the Hill
• Current campaign and election trends
• How members of Congress advance their legislative, public policy and political agendas
• How personal and committee staff work
• How you can build win/win relationships with staffers

Attend a congressional hearing and see the process in action.

June 13-15, 2012, 8:30 am – 4 pm all three days.


Approved for 1.7 CEUs from George Mason University.

Where: Washington, DC

This is a required course for the Certificate in Congressional Operations and for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy.

For more information, including agenda and secure online registration, see CapitolHillWorkshop.com

This course and any combination of its topics can be tailored for custom on-site presentation at your location and is available via the GSA Schedule.

Continue reading ‘Congressional Operations Briefing and Seminar: Capitol Hill Workshop – How Congress Works, in Washington, DC’ »

Given the frantic pace that typically takes place on Capitol Hill, it is important to ensure that your meetings are as effective as possible. While it is only natural to desire to meet with a member of Congress, do not become disappointed if you meet with staff instead. Lawmakers rely heavily on their staff out of necessity for legislative recommendations and information.

photo credit: ldenny27

When meeting with staff, or a member of Congress, try to use practical – and personal – examples. Practical examples receive a lot of attention because they make it easier for members of Congress to understand the realities of life outside the Beltway. For a legislative strategy to be effective, include several examples of the consequences of the proposal.

Always ask if a decision has been made or when a decision is expected. Mention that you will check back to determine the position of the legislator. Make a point to keep current and educate the legislator and staff members as the time for a vote approaches. Work to establish several contacts in each office.

Never cancel or reschedule meetings except as a last resort. If you reschedule, this will likely result in a hampering of any goodwill you established with congressional staff. There is always a cost associated with rescheduling or canceling any meeting. Before you cancel or reschedule, ask yourself whether it is really worth that cost.

Above all, make sure you are prepared in advance for the meeting. Know what you expect from the meeting before you arrive. What is it that you want to ask? You will never receive it if you do not ask for it. If you plan to ask a policymaker to change their established position, you must be prepared to provide justification, including a description of conditions that have changed or new information that has become available on an issue. Select one issue that you want to advocate during the meeting and stick to that point. Do not muddy the waters by trying to advocate for more than one point during a single meeting. Finally, follow-up after every meeting.

To learn more about communicating with policymakers consider signing up for TheCapitol.Net’s 1/2-day course Strategies for Working with Congress and the 3-day Capitol Hill Workshop.

Source: Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak, Section 8.29 Reminders for Hill Visit Participants.

For more information about advocacy in Washington, see

• Pocket Guide to Advocacy on Capitol Hill
• Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson
• Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider
• Live and custom training courses from TheCapitol.Net:
  • Using Grassroots, Coalitions, and the Media to Get Your Message Heard
  • Advocacy Campaigns in Washington
  • Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill
  • Capitol Hill Day / National Advocacy Day
• Capitol Learning Audio Courses:
  • Building and Nurturing Your Grassroots Campaign
  • Visiting Capitol Hill for First Time Grassroots Advocates: An Introductory Course
  • How to Organize a Capitol Hill Day
  • How to Work the Hill Like a Pro

“Congressional culture” is comprised of a mix of youthful staff, optimistic freshman members, cynical reporters, seasoned members, and crusty senators. This can often result in a clash of both the old and new.

photo credit: Mr. T in DC

In evaluating congressional culture, it is important to understand the working environment of Congress. That environment drives the work of Congress, and the work schedule can be harsh and brutal. The norm involves a 50 your work week. In the days leading up to a congressional recess, the work schedule can commonly increase to 60 or 70 hours per week. Even when Congress recesses and members return home to their districts, their days are often 10-hour work days filled with public events, constituent meetings, speeches and other types of district activities.

The environment for staffers is often extremely fast paced, but at the same time it can be quite mundane. Contrary to popular stereotype, offices on Capitol Hill are frequently cramped. In fact, quarters can be so cramped that work spaces are sometimes created in rooms that were once designed for storage purposes. Since 1979, the number of staff allotted to House members has not changed, even though the work load has increased dramatically.

In many ways, the House resembles a high school. The freshman legislators are all looking to make an impression while subcommittee chairmen seek out angles they can use to attain leadership levels. At the same time, senior members rule on the most crucial matters. Every member of the House is looking out for their own particular issue–one issue where they can become a subject matter expert, find an opportunity to introduce bills and become the source reporters look to about that issue.

The real work is often performed in congressional committees. This is where language and law are merged by elected officials. Three basic activities take place in committees; legislative hearings on bills, oversight of the executive branch, and the amending and voting on bills.

Developing an understanding of congressional culture can go a long way toward helping you better understand the ways in which Congress works and the best way to approach making changes for the improvement of Congress as a whole.

To learn more about the way Congress works, consider TheCapitol.Net’s 1/2 day course, Congress in a Nutshell, and the 3-day Capitol Hill Workshop.

Reference: Citizen’s Handbook, by Bradford Fitch, Chapter 2 Congressional Culture

Also see

• “What’s the deal with contacting my Representative or Senators?”
• Our FAQ: “How to Contact Congress”
• How do I get an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol?
• A Guide for Communicating with Congress

For more information about working with Congress, see these resources from TheCapitol.Net:

• Publications
  • Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson
  • Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak
  • Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials, by Bradford Fitch
  • Congressional Deskbook, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider
• Live courses in Washington, DC:
  • Capitol Hill Workshop
  • Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill
  • Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony
• Capitol Learning Audio Courses:
  • Effectively Using Persuasion in Your Oral Presentations: A Trial Lawyer’s Perspective
  • How to Work the Hill Like a Pro
  • Making the Most of a Site Visit with a Member of Congress
  • Strategies and Tactics That Will Help You Impact Congressional Action

When it comes to identifying and cultivating contacts and influential individuals who can assist you with your issue, it is never too early to begin. Start working with key decision makers on your issue as early as possible. Make it a priority to identify leaders that other congressional members will look toward regarding the development of their own position on the issue.

photo credit: bkabak

One of the worst mistakes you can make is to neglect top leaders and other influential members as these are the people who can quickly influence other members. If you do not take action quickly enough and reach them first, key leaders can easily become solidified against your position on that issue if your opponents persuade them first.

One of the first steps you must take is to identify and then connect with anyone who might be a champion for your cause. Identify key committee and personal staff early on. And you need to work both the Senate and the House. It can be quite easy to neglect one chamber of Congress when all of the action is taking place in the other chamber, but that is a mistake. Make certain you work and monitor both chambers at the same time.

Do not make the mistake of waiting until the bill has made its way out of committee to begin contacting influential members and leadership. While it can be a challenge to gain the attention of influential members and leaders on an issue before it is out of committee, you must make the effort. Begin grassroots activity early on to help ensure all members are familiar with your issue and have some knowledge about it. This is particularly important if it is possible your issue might quickly move to the floor.

At the same time, continue cultivating your contacts. On Capitol Hill, memories are relatively short-lived. You must continually work on maintaining contacts and your own usefulness as a reliable and credible resource. It takes skill to provide information that is valuable while avoiding the trap of becoming annoying, a skill worth developing.

For more information about communicating with congressional leaders, consider TheCapitol.Net’s 1-day course, Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill and their 3-day Capitol Hill Workshop.

Reference: Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak, Section 8.12 Lobby Tips and Section 8.13 Continually Cultivate Contacts

For more information about working with Congress, see these resources from TheCapitol.Net:

• Publications
  • Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson
  • Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak
  • Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials, by Bradford Fitch
  • Congressional Deskbook, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider
• Live courses in Washington, DC:
  • Capitol Hill Workshop
  • Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill
  • Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony
• Custom on-site training:
  • Capitol Hill Day / Government Affairs Institute / National Advocacy Day
  • Capitol Hill Workshop
  • How Washington Works
• Capitol Learning Audio Courses:
  • Effectively Using Persuasion in Your Oral Presentations: A Trial Lawyer’s Perspective
  • How to Work the Hill Like a Pro
  • Making the Most of a Site Visit with a Member of Congress
  • Strategies and Tactics That Will Help You Impact Congressional Action

As a lobbyist or advocate you likely spend a good portion of your time visiting calling upon Capitol Hill. The tips below will help ensure that you achieve the best outcomes and avoid slipping into bad habits.

photo credit: Steven Verlander Photography

First, make an effort to keep current and educated regarding the position of members. It is a good idea to establish points of contact with the office so that you can check back from time to time to determine the position of a legislator.

Never cancel or re-schedule a meeting except as a last resort. Recognize that any time you reschedule a meeting you could very well face the withdrawal of goodwill with congressional staff. If there is an unavoidable emergency that would cause you to run late, make a point to phone the office and let them know. In the event you truly cannot make the meeting, phone ahead and advise them. Remember that it is bad enough to cancel a meeting; simply not showing up can be catastrophic.

Always be on time for congressional meetings but do not be surprised or impatient if you are kept waiting, which is commonly the case. Avoid entering the office too early. Rooms on Capitol Hill are often cramped and there is usually a lack of good places to wait for meetings.

Before attending a meeting, make sure you have an idea of what you expect from the meeting. What is it that you want to ask for and what is it that you hope to receive? Choose one issue and stick to it rather than trying to address multiple points at once. Always ask how you can help, and be willing to act as a resource.

Listen carefully and never make any assumptions. Ask thoughtful and well thought-out questions. At the conclusion of the meeting, be sure to say thank you and then follow-up later with promised information or materials and a thank you.

Following these guidelines can go a long way toward helping you to achieve the desired outcome to a meeting. For more information about communicating with congressional offices, consider TheCapitol.Net’s 1-day course, Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill and their 3-day Capitol Hill Workshop.

Reference: Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak, Section 8.29 Reminders for Hill Visit Participants

For more information about effective advocacy in Washington, see these resources from TheCapitol.Net

• Lobbying and Advocacy: Winning Strategies, Resources, Recommendations, Ethics and Ongoing Compliance for Lobbyists and Washington Advocates, by Deanna Gelak
• Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson
• Pocket Guide to Advocacy on Capitol Hill, by Brad Fitch
• Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider
• Lobbyist Registration and Compliance Handbook
• Live and custom training courses:
  • Using Grassroots, Coalitions, and the Media to Get Your Message Heard
  • Advocacy Campaigns in Washington
  • Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill
  • Capitol Hill Day / National Advocacy Day
• Capitol Learning Audio Courses:
  • Building and Nurturing Your Grassroots Campaign
  • Visiting Capitol Hill for First Time Grassroots Advocates: An Introductory Course
  • How to Organize a Capitol Hill Day
  • How to Work the Hill Like a Pro