Drawing on both the public policy scholarship and the daily practicalities on Capitol Hill, this book builds on the author’s extensive federal policy experience as well as that of others to offer the information and tools needed to effectively participate in Washington D.C. policy-making. Rich and accessible, this book is a clear call for action.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
List of Tables, Textboxes, and Figures
Acknowledgments
Author's Note
Introduction
1 People
The Iron Triangle
Congress Congressional Staff and Congressional CommitteesRelationships Are EverythingThe Executive BranchInterest GroupsProfessional and Trade AssociationsBusiness or Corporation AssociationsPublic Interest GroupsThink TanksWhat Do Interest Groups Do in Relation to Policy and Advocacy?Political Action Committees and 501 (c) (4)s CoalitionsGovernment Relations/Lobbying Firms LobbyingBeyond the Iron Triangle
The CourtsSocial Media and the PressPublic OpinionConstituentsGrass Roots Movements and OrganizationsExperts The Culture of Policy Making vs. the Cultures of Other Sectors
Representation Matters
Takeaways: People
2 Politics
Majorities and Minorities in Congress
Seniority in CongressThe White House
Election Cycles
Participating in Election Campaigns
Transition to Office after Winning an Election
Bipartisanship
Takeaways: Politics
3 Process
Part I: Summary of the Literature on Public Policy Making Processes
Framework #1: The Cyclical FrameworkProblem DefinitionAgenda SettingPolicy FormulationPolicy AdoptionPolicy ImplementationPolicy Evaluation Framework #2: Policy Streams Part II: Congressional Procedures
How a Bill Becomes a Law: The Seven Steps of Regular OrderBill IntroductionThe Committee Receives the Bill Possible Referral to SubcommitteeHearings and MarkupsFloor ConsiderationConference CommitteePresident's SignatureThree Core Legislative Processes: Budget, Appropriations, AuthorizationBudget Process ReconciliationDeeming ResolutionsAppropriations ProcessMandatory and Discretionary SpendingEarmarksAuthorization ProcessOther Congressional ProcessesOversight and InvestigationsConfirmationsSenate and House RulesCommittee on Rules of the House of RepresentativesFilibuster and Cloture in the SenatePart III: Executive Branch Processes
Executive OrdersFederal Rule Making Before the Proposed RuleThe Proposed RuleBefore the Final RuleThe Final Rule After the Final Rule Negotiated Rule MakingOther Key Federal Agency Functions Related to Policy MakingGuidance Takeaways: Process
4 Policy
Which Comes First: The Problem or the Solution?
Policy Tools
GrantsAppropriationsCivil RightsAccountabilityData CollectionEnforcement MechanismsResearchIndividual BenefitsTax CodeRequirements Related to Implementation by Federal AgencyWhat is Good Policy?
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Use of Standardized Assessments in Federal Education Policy: Point/Counterpoint The ADA: A Remarkable PolicyNCLB and Its Derivatives: The Use of Standardized Assessments in Federal Education Policy-a Cautionary Tale Race to the Top 2009Teacher Preparation Regulations 2011-2017Lessons LearnedTakeaways: Policy
5 Advocacy
Advocating with Congressional Offices
First and Foremost: Build a RelationshipPrepare for MeetingsProvide Background Information, Data, and StoriesRefine Your Message So It Will Be Heard by Your AudienceBe Prepared with No More than Three "Asks"Offer Invitations to Speak or VisitDon't Get Mad or Argue or Talk Politics Always Follow UpKeep Showing Up Add Your Voice to a National OrganizationAdvocating with the Executive Branch
Artifacts for Advocacy
Committee and Subcommittee Activities: Hearings, Markups, and MoreOther Statements from Members of CongressStatus of Bills IntroducedReports from the Congressional Research ServiceDocuments from the Government Accountability OfficeDevelopments from the White House and Federal Agencies Connecting Research, Practice, and Policy
Participating in a Committee Hearing or a Town Hall Meeting
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Advocacy Activities
Impact of the January 6, 2021, Events at the Capitol on Security Measures
In Closing
Takeaways: Advocacy
Wrapping Up
References
Index
About the Interviewees
About the Author
