The document provides information on lobbying the US Congress and the legislative process. It discusses that the First Amendment protects the right to lobby Congress and petition the government. It then outlines some myths about lobbying and the power of individual Congress members. It also summarizes the legislative process in the House and Senate, including the roles of committees and how a bill becomes law. Finally, it provides tips on grassroots lobbying and effective lobbying in Washington DC, including bringing the right people and knowing key terms.

1. The Aegis Group, Ltd.
© 2012/All Rights Reserved
e-Politick
Lobbying the U.S. Congress
a
First Amendment Right

2. The First Amendment!
› Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances.

3. Congressional Myths
You are one of many!
› Myth: My Congressman will take care of my issue!
› Fact: Your Congressman has numerous issues and constituencies to deal
with every day. You are competing against hundreds of unknown
individuals. And, there may be constituents within the Congressional
district that have contrary interests or are competing for the same
benefits.
› Myth: I am an important constituent, thus, my needs will be addressed.
› Fact: You still have to compete for his attention and that of his staff. Your
issue is one of many that will get lost in the day’s business unless you
know how to cut the head of the “constituent waiting line.”
› Myth: All Congressmen are equal.
› Fact: No! Some have a tremendous amount of influence and power, while
others are relatively weak or lazy! There are also wide discrepancies
of power within issues. For example, a Congressman may have
enormous power in banking issues, but may be powerless in
influencing educational or appropriations policy.

4. The House of Representatives
Overview
› A congress lasts for 2 years and has two sessions. Each congressman
has a term of two years. The total number of congressmen is 435,
one for every 30,000 of population.
› Sources of ideas for legislation are numerous, i.e., the Administration,
constituents, organizations, etc.. And, only the House may initiate
revenue bills.
› There are more than 20 committees in the House. Many of which
share jurisdiction over legislation that is introduced and federal
departments.
› The House may impeach (or indict) federal official but not try them, a
right reserved for the Senate.

5. The House of Representatives
Legislative Process Synopsis
› A legislative proposal is introduced by a member of congress in one of four
principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the
simple resolution. The most common form is, “the bill.”
› The president may not introduce legislation. He has to rely on friendly
members of congress to introduce his legislative initiatives.
› Congressional committees are “legislative laboratories” where proposals are
examined, acted upon, and – if approved by the committee(s) of jurisdiction
– are sent to the full House for a vote of approval or denial.
› If a bill is approved by the House, it is “referred” to the Senate for its
concurrence or rejection. If approved as passed by the House, it is send to
the President for signature and becomes law. If amended by the Senate, the
bill goes to a conference (between House/Senate members) where it
undergoes changes suitable to assure its eventual Congressional approval
and then on to the President for final approval.

6. The U.S. Senate
Overview
› The Senate is composed of 100 Members, 2 from each state
each with a term of 6 years. One-third of the total Senate is
elected every second year.
› The Senate has several unique powers not held by the
House of Representatives, i.e., ratification of treaties,
confirming Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, upper
echelon federal executive officials, military officers,
regulatory officials, and ambassadors.
› The Senate may serve as the “court” of justice of federal
officials impeached by the House of Representatives.
› The Senate has more than 20 committees many of whom
share jurisdiction over legislation and federal departments.

7. The U.S. Senate
Legislative Process Synopsis
› The office of the Secretary of the Senate receives the House “bill” which
becomes an “act” signifying that it is the act of one body of the Congress. It
officially becomes an “engrossed bill.”
› The bill is then referred to the appropriate standing Senate committee of
jurisdiction for consideration as in the House or it may report it with or without
amendments or “table” it. Other committees may claim jurisdiction.
› When a committee reports a bill for full Senate consideration, it is reprinted
with the committee amendments and the committee report language
including the name of the Senator making the report.
› The rules of procedure, for legislative approval, in the Senate differ from those
in the House. The Senate relies heavily on the practice of obtaining
unanimous consent for actions to be taken.
› The path for Senate approval can be long and confusing because of the
numerous requirements for limit on debate, “lay-over” periods (anywhere
from a day, to weeks and months). The aforementioned is a highly
abbreviated version of a very long process.

8. How A Bill Becomes A Law
› Draft H.R. → Put in Hopper →Assign to Committee
→assign to Subcommittee →Hearings
→Markup→Back to Committee
→Hearings→Passage→Rules
Committee→Hearings→Issue Rule→Floor
Debate→Passage→Senate→Senate
Committee→Senate
Subcomitee→Hearings→Markup→Full
Committee→Senate
Calendar→Debate→Passage→Conference
Commitee→Back to House→Back to Senate→Signed
by President

9. The Budget Process
On or Before Action to Be Completed
15th day after Congress meets President submits his budget
March 15 Committees and joint committees
Submit reports to Budget
Committees
April 1 Congressional Budget Office
submits report to Budget
Committees
April 15 Budget Committees report first
concurrent resolutions on the
Budget to their Houses
May 15 Committees report bills and
resolutions authorizing new budget
authority
May 15 Congress completes action on first
concurrent resolution on the Budget

10. The Budget Process
(continued)
7th Day after Labor Day Congress completes action on bills
and resolutions providing new
budget authority and new spending
authority
September 15 Congress completes action on
second required concurrent
resolution on the budget
September 25 Congress completes action on
reconciliation bill or resolution, or
both, implementing second required
concurrent resolution
October 1 Fiscal year begins

11. Grassroots Lobbying
Access is Everything
Do
› Volunteer in campaigns
› Know the staff
› Attend town hall meetings hosted by your representative
› Stay in contact via email, telephone or mail
› Share information on your issues – become a familiar and reliable source of
information
› Be the first to tell the truth of your issue and tell it often!
Don’t
› Don’t nag, threaten, demand, badmouth the opposition or lie!

12. The Big Day
Lobbying in Washington
› Know the pertinent bill numbers and contents of the House/Senate versions
› Know all the arguments on all side of your issue
› Know your allies, your opponents
› Prepare a one-page memo outlining your issues relevant to the bill – stick to one
page
› Make advance appointments – three weeks or more in advance – with key staff.
› Staff are the gatekeepers to the representative or senator – unless you are on a first-
name basis with the elected official
› If you belong to an organization that is making the “Washington Fly-In” trip, try to
arrange an informal reception for your represented (s) and key staff but be mindful
of hospitality rules
› Once home, follow up with thank you emails, cards, letters or telephone calls and
follow up on your issue(s)

13. Who to bring?
Bring
› An articulate spokesperson – speak with one voice on the same
issue. Present all sides of the issue and do so fairly
› Constituent s of key members that are dealing with your issue
› People who are directly affected by the proposed bill or legislation
› Good team players
Do Not Bring
› A heavy-handed browbeater or low mouthed individual – they’ll kill
your chances of success

14. Capitol Hill Terms
› Member Either a U.S. Representative or Senator, male or female
› The Hill Term includes all House and Senate office buildings
› A.A. Administrative Assistant, top staffer. Also known as C.O.S., chief
of staff
› L.D. Legislative Director, oversight/direction over all legislative issues
› L.A. Legislative Assistant, congressional staff person, mid rank
individual
› L.C. Legislative Correspondent, entry level staff, correspondence,
email, etc..
› Scheduler Person in charge of a Member’s calendar
› Staff memo Sheet of paper used by a Member to decide how to vote on
an issue
› The Floor As in floor of the House or Senate. When a bill is on the floor, it is
being debated. When a member is on the floor he/she could
be anywhere including the floor debating, voting, etc.
› Bells A legislative call system consisting of electric lights and bells or
buzzers located in various parts of the Capitol Building alerting
Members to votes

15. The Legislative Maze
Experience is the best GPS!
The
Aegis
Group,
Ltd.
The
Legislative
Maze
and
Its
Various
Players
Who/What
Influences
Legislation?
The
French
journalist
and
writer,
Honoré
de
Balzac
(1799-­‐1850),
said
“bureaucracy
is
a
giant
mechanism
operated
by
pygmies.”
His
observation
could
easily
apply
to
the
American
legislative
process.
An
Aegis
client,
Tom
May,
once
remarked,
“politics
or
the
legislative
process
doesn’t
have
a
damn
thing
to
do
with
rational
thinking
–
it’s
all
smoke
and
mirrors.”
The
following
chart
illustrates
the
complexity
of
the
modern
U.S.
agricultural
policy
process.
The
same
process,
with
different
players,
is
applicable
in
other
areas
not
related
to
agriculture.

16. The Origins of Public Policy
› Public policy starts at home!
Policy
Development
Chart
2472
Belmont
Road,
NW
Washington,
D.C.
20008
p:
202.518.9590
e:
mariocas@aegisdc.com
web:
www.aegisdc.com
*
Media
elements
(i.e.
online
social/new
media,
reporters,
broadcast
news,
etc.)
are
omnipresent
across
all
levels.
Copyright.
The
Aegis
Group,
Ltd.
2010
City/Municipal
Government*
Chambers
of
Commerce/
Small
Businesses/
Associations
Universities
Mayor
and
Other
City
Officials
State
Government*
State
Legislature
Governor
U.S.
Congress*
The
Administration*