Congress For Dummies E-Book

David Silverberg

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 564

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

A clear, direct guide into the nitty-gritty workings of Congress and the way the institution really functions Congress For Dummies helps you sort out what Congress does on a daily basis and what it all means to you, the citizen. It shows you how to get organized, make your voice heard, and influence legislation that might affect you. Full of helpful resources such as contact information for House and Senate offices, and smart, straightforward explanations of the legislative process, this book is everything you need to understand Congress and get involved in your government. Whether you just want to know how government works, or you want to get involved to change your country, this simple guide covers all the ins and outs of Congress. It's a nonpartisan look at Congress that includes forewords by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. Inside you'll find easy explanations and helpful tips on how to: * Get involved in the democratic process * Influence legislation that's important to you * Understa nd Congress and the media * Contact your senators and representatives * Check out Congress in action, in person * Deal with congressional staff Expert author David Silverberg -- Managing Editor and a columnist at the Washington weekly The Hill -- takes the mystery out of getting something done in Congress, introducing you to the players and explaining everything from legislation and lobbying to caucuses and coalitions. Written with the citizen advocate in mind, this helpful guide gives regular people the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their aims. Inside, you'll discover: * How the three branches of government work together * How to register your opinion with your elected officials * How the legislative process works -- from idea to law * How debates, conferences, and vetoes work * How budgeting and appropriations work * How to get the most effect from your political contributions * How the lobbying process works * How to advocate for legislation * How to deal with congressional staffers * How to make use of congressional services Getting something done in the messy confusion of democracy and bureaucracy is no easy task. Full of the kind of information and knowledge that Washington insiders take for granted, Congress For Dummies levels the playing field so that regular people -- just like you -- can make a difference, too.

Leseprobe

Congress For Dummies®

by David Silverberg

Forewords by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle

Congress For Dummies®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2002110307

ISBN: 978-0-7645-5421-6

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

David Silverberg has covered Congress and congressional politics in one form or another since coming to Washington in 1981.

His first Washington job was as assistant editor of Near East Report, a newsletter affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which has been called the most powerful foreign policy lobby in Washington.

As a reporter for weekly newspaper Defense News from 1986 to 1993, he covered congressional activity on defense, diplomacy, commerce and trade matters. As editor-at-large for the monthly magazine Armed Forces Journal International between 1993 and 1997 he created and wrote two popular features called Congressional Watch and Congressional Darts & Laurels.

In June, 1998 Silverberg began editing and publishing his own quarterly magazine, The Journal of Information Policy, the first journal of ideas dedicated to government policymaking in the information age. In May 1999 he sold it to Fed Services Inc.

Today Silverberg is managing editor of The Hill, a weekly newspaper covering Congress with the largest circulation of any Capitol Hill publication. He writes three columns for the paper, on defense, technology and globalization. He also oversaw a redesign of the newspaper’s Web site and created an electronic e-newsletter on congressional doings called Omens & Portents. The site can be accessed at: www.TheHill.com.

Silverberg’s writing has appeared in a wide variety of academic and popular publications and he has appeared on a number of national television and radio programs to discuss policy and politics.

Congress For Dummies is his first book.

Silverberg, his wife June Fletcher, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and their son, Adam, live in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

Dedication

Most book dedications say a book is for someone. They often sound as though the author purchased the book in a store and simply delivered it, dumping it on a desk or the nearest coffee table.

This is my first book and having written it, I now know that writing a book for someone means much more than just delivering a manuscript.

Writing a book for someone means keeping before you a vision of the person for whom you’re writing – and that vision sustains you through the ordeal of producing the book. But it also means that the person for whom you’re writing motivates you to continue through a sometimes long, tedious, and frustrating but ultimately worthwhile process. It means you so want this person to have this product of your labors, and this person so inspires you, that you’re willing to endure long hours of writing and research, and forgo beautiful days when you’re rather be anywhere than at your desk, and keeps you working through nights when you’re dead tired but the deadlines demand extra effort, and make all the sacrifices that a project like this entails. There’s an awful lot of meaning in that simple, three-letter word for.

And so this book is for June, my lovely wife who deserves so much more than I’ve given her and who has always been an inspiration and a Muse.

This book is for my son, Adam, who I hope grows up safe, strong, free, and fearless. This is my small effort to improve the world he’ll inherit.

This book is for my parents, Sidney and Edna, who gave me a belief in political involvement, in social justice, and in government that serves the people. And it’s for my brother Paul, his wife Nancy, and their children.

This book is also for the young reporters at The Hill who may not believe it when I cut their copy, or hold their stories, or enforce the deadlines, or tell them that they can’t edit on the page proofs, or argue with them about placement, or kick them out of the production room, or discard the dirty dishes they leave in the kitchen sink, but I’m really very fond of them all. Their energy and enthusiasm is invigorating. It was a clear need for a single, simple guide to Congress for people like them that inspired this idea in the first place.

And lastly, this book is for all the people who make the pilgrimage to their Capitol, who I see coming in the thousands to learn about the government of which they’re such an integral part. It’s for everyone who feels strongly enough to write a letter to register an opinion, or pick up the phone or send an e-mail to the members of the most powerful parliament in the world. It’s for everyone who participates and votes. The term “the American people” sounds so trite and overused, but there’s nothing nobler or more elevating.

This book is for the American people.

Author’s Acknowledgments

This book had a long and difficult gestation and many people helped it along the way.

While this book is dedicated to them, special thanks must expressed to my wife, June Fletcher, without whose understanding and patience and support I never could have completed this project; to my son Adam, who kept me going; and to my parents Sidney and Edna, who encouraged me every step of the way.

My special thanks to Al Eisele, editor of The Hill, who proved that it’s possible to be an editor, an agent, and a saint at the same time. I couldn’t have done this without him.

My thanks also to Marty Tolchin, editor-in-chief and publisher of The Hill who created and maintains the kind of atmosphere that encourages maximum initiative, experimentation, and creativity. His example of thoughtful inquiry, political interest, and journalistic integrity is a true inspiration.

Special thanks to two women who could see the value of this project and were kind enough to express that support to Wiley Publishing at a crucial time: Cindy McConnell, formerly of the Close Up Foundation, which does wonderful work in bringing young students to Washington; and lobbyist Lydia Borland, who understands the value of people, politics and policy. Thanks too to Dianne Stamm for her warm encouragement and support.

In the two years that we discussed this book I had the opportunity to work with some excellent people at Hungry Minds, now Wiley & Sons. These included Sherry Gomoll, Joyce Pepple, and Susan Decker, all of whose support I appreciated. Very special thanks to Greg Tubach who made sense of so much of the Dummies culture and way of doing things and patiently walked me through it. Thanks to Kathleen Dobie for her editing, suggestions and especially her patience as I painfully learned the Dummies style and how to attach a template. (Bam! I think I’ve finally got it!). And thanks to Neil for his copy editing even when I disagreed with it.

Thanks too to Jean Gossman, my technical editor. I told her to be ruthless and she was and this book is far better for it. Her knowledge of Congress was invaluable and her patience, persistence, and dedication immeasurably improved this work.

Thanks to intern Matt Dalton for his research and to Frank Meyers, who didn’t know what he was scanning, but whose help was so valuable in this endeavor as it is in all others.

My many thanks to the reporters and all the staff at The Hill, from all of whom I’ve learned so much.

My appreciation to Richard Baker and the staff of the Senate Historian’s office, the parliamentary staff of both the House and Senate, and Bruce Milhans of the Architect of the Capitol’s office, all of whom put up with my picky questions. And thanks to Brad Fitch and the Congressional Management Foundation who provide an invaluable service for Congress. Thanks also to John Kornacki, a gentleman and a scholar of the House.

Lastly thanks to all the members and staff of the United States Congress who never knew they were helping to write a book but who add a new chapter each and every day.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editor: Kathleen A. Dobie

Acquisitions Editors: Greg Tubach, Tracy Boggier

Copy Editor: E. Neil Johnson

Technical Editor: Jean Gossman

Editorial Manager: Christine Meloy Beck

Editorial Assistant: Melissa Bennett

Cover Photos: © Dallas and John Heaton/CORBIS

Cartoons: Rich Tennant www.the5thwave.com

Composition Services

Project Coordinator: Maridee Ennis

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Proofreaders: David Faust,John Greenough, Carl Pierce, Aptara

Indexer: Aptara

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies

Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies

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Brice Gosnell, Publishing Director, Travel

Suzanne Jannetta, Editorial Director, Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Andy Cummings, Acquisitions Director

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Foreword

by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert

Congress For Dummies serves a useful purpose: To inform the people about the duties, responsibilities, and role of the United States Congress. Congress, of course, is not just for dummies. It is for all people who want to participate in their democracy, and play a role in their own futures.

When the founders drew up the United States Constitution in 1787, they specifically outlined a system in which there would be three independent branches of government. All three branches have separate powers and duties that create a system of checks and balances. This system ensures that there is always a watchful eye on the product of the entire institution. While all three branches differ in their responsibilities, they were all formed to protect and promote democratic values and principles on which our nation was founded.

The founders wisely put Congress in the First Article of the Constitution, signifying its unique and extremely vital role in our democracy. Congress makes the laws. Congress holds the power of the purse. Congress affirms treaties and confirms judges. In other words, Congress makes decisions that affect the lives of every American citizen.

But still, many people are confused about the Congress, what its role is and what the differences are between the House and the Senate. The House of Representatives is the “people’s House,” while the Senate is often called “the world’s greatest debating society.” It will come as no surprise that as Speaker of the House, I am partial to the House of Representatives. Members of the House face the voters every two years. They are more accountable to the people, and more often reflect the wishes of those who vote. On the other hand, Senators face the voters every six years.

How laws are made is a very interesting, yet complex process. David Silverberg’s outline gives readers a simplified and informative view of that process. In this book, he gives a full explanation of the responsibilities, procedures, and makeup of the Legislative branch. Each chapter contributes to the basic understanding of how public policy is formed in our nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C. The author gives explicit examples on the way in which the Constitution sets the standards for how laws are formed and enforced, what strategies Members of Congress use when voting and dealing with outside interest groups, as well as how Congressional Members serve their constituents back home.

It is extremely important that the American people understand how laws are made. This book helps make the process more understandable, which is a good thing. I recommend this book to those who don’t understand Congress and want to learn, and to those who think they know Congress, but have more to learn.

Foreword

by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle

The title of this book, Congress For Dummies, is really a bit of a misnomer. America needs the participation of informed citizens. Our democracy depends on it. Picking up this book doesn’t mean admitting you’re a dummy. It means you’re educating yourself about your government, how it works, and how you can get involved, and there’s nothing dumb about that.

Congress can be an imposing institution. I’ve served here since 1978, and at times I still feel that way. As imposing as Congress is, and as difficult as it may be to understand, the work that goes on here has an impact on the life of every American. Sometimes the work of Congress impacts you in ways you see, like a Social Security check, a new bridge, or our armed forces on parade. Sometimes it impacts you in ways you don’t, like laws to keep your air clean to breathe or the water safe to drink.

As the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, I’m pleased that this book explains the workings of the Senate in a simple, clear, easy to follow format.

After all, ours is a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” This is your government, you elect people to serve you, and you need to keep track of what they’re doing.

In his chapter on the Senate, David Silverberg writes “the Senate is the fulcrum that balances the extremes of tyranny and anarchy and makes sure that neither ever tips the scales.” Every day, from the opening gavel to adjournment, we work together and walk between those extremes, regardless of our differences.

Congress For Dummies will help you understand how the Senate works, and how it works with the House and the Executive branch to strengthen this great democracy, which depends on all of us to play an important part. Consider this your user’s manual.

Contents

Title

Introduction

What this Book Can Help You Do

How to Use this Book

Conventions Used in this Book

How this Book Is Organized

What this Book Is Not

A Word to the Wonks Should Be Sufficient — I Hope

Part I : Considering the Two Chambers

Chapter 1: Welcome to Congress

The Three Branches of Government

Congressional Relationships

Your Role as a Citizen

Chapter 2: Running Your House: The House of Representatives

Describing the House

Finding a Lawmaker of Your Very Own

Doing the Job of Representative

Doing Housework: The Responsibilities of the House

Chapter 3: Scoping Out the Senate

What It Takes to Be a Senator and How to Find Yours

Senatorial Responsibilities

Part II : Looking at the Legislative Process

Chapter 4: Introducing a Bill

Starting the Process

Dealing with the Players

Building a Bill

Getting There is Half the Fun: The Legislative Process

Chapter 5: Meeting the Players, Setting the Schedule

Following the Leaders

Elbowing into the Huddle: The Role of Caucuses and Delegations

Timing is Everything: Congressional Schedules

Chapter 6: Reaching the Floor and Beyond

Waiting to Debate

Snagging Attention with an Introduction

Playing by the Rules: The Role of the Rules Committees

Debating on the Floor

Struggling toward Yes: The Conference Process

Getting the President’s Signature

Battling after Passage

Part III : Following the Money

Chapter 7: Raising Revenues

Seeing the Sources

Acting on Taxes

Bearing the Burden: Taxation and You

Chapter 8: Budgeting, Authorizing, and Appropriating Government Money

Holding the Purse Strings

Budgeting

Authorizing

Appropriating

Inserting Items in Appropriations Bills

Chapter 9: Putting Your Political Contributions to Work

Contributing to the Candidate of Your Choice

Becoming a PAC-man or PAC-woman

Distinguishing Hard Money from Soft Money

Mastering the Nuts and Bolts of Fundraising

Providing Other Campaign Services

Part IV : Lobbying from All Angles

Chapter 10: Looking at Lobbying

Explaining the Basics

Categorizing Lobbyists

Getting Your Member’s Attention

Evaluating Scorecards and Key Votes

Determining whether You Need a Professional

Choosing a Lobbyist

Chapter 11: Explaining Your Cause

Knowing What You Want to Achieve

Educating Yourself

Building Your Case

Knowing Your Issue

Gathering Support

Testifying before Congress

Chapter 12: Getting Down to the Nitty-Gritty: Lobbying Members of Congress

Writing to Your Representative and Senators

Meeting Face to Face

Conveying Your Cause

Taking a Walk on the Dark Side: Going Negative

Giving Gifts, Travel, and Entertainment

Keeping the Pressure On

Chapter 13: Getting the Job Done: Congressional Staff

Making Contact

Surveying Congressional Staff

Getting Down to Personalities

Acknowledging Committee Staff

Recognizing Auxiliary Support Staff

Chapter 14: Making the Most of the Media

Understanding the Relationship between Congress and the Media

Getting Your Story Straight

Making the News

Lobbying the Media

Writing and Distributing Press Releases

Organizing a Press Conference

Working with Television

Broadcasting on Radio

Browsing through Internet Media

Paying for Space

Using Celebrities

Conducting a Demonstration

Chapter 15: Working with Various Media

Delineating Daily Print Media

Cozying Up to Columnists

Making the Most of Magazines and Periodicals

Courting Capitol Hill Media

Burning Up the Wire Services

Trumpeting Broadcast and Cable Television

Tuning in to Radio

Investigating Internet Media

Going Abroad with Foreign Media

Part V : Putting the Practical Side to Use

Chapter 16: Making Use of Congressional Services

Helping Out with the Feds

Intervening in Local Issues

Putting in a Good Word

Chapter 17: Visiting Congress

Visiting the Capitol Campus

Making Your Way to the House Side

Seeing the Senate Side

Holding a Function at the Capitol

Dining on Capitol Hill

Part VI : The Part of Tens

Chapter 18: Ten Tips for Conducting a Lobbying Campaign

Knowing Your Core Issues

Knowing What You’re Trying to Achieve

Assessing Your Assets and Liabilities

Knowing Whereof You Speak

Building Coalitions and Alliances

Helping Your Friends and Frustrating Your Enemies

Being Open to Compromise

Not Expecting Quick Results

Finding a Champion

Being Patient, Persistent, and Persevering

Chapter 19: The Ten Commandments for Dealing with Congressional Staff

Being Prompt

Knowing the Goal of the Meeting

Preparing the Ground

Doing Your Homework

Being Courteous and Calm

Commanding the Facts

Respecting the Staff

Being Ready to Offer Assistance

Giving them Something to Remember You By

Always Following Up

Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Dealing with Journalists

Assume the Best

Strive for Accuracy

Don’t Pick a Fight with Anyone who Buys Ink by the Barrel

Realize that the Only Bad Question is the One that Isn’t Asked

You Don’t Have to Comment but Never Stonewall

Understand the “Public” in Public Figure

Avoid Source Remorse

Keep Things in Perspective — They’ll Wrap Fish in It Tomorrow

Don’t Fall for “Trust Me, I’m a Journalist”

Return Journalists’ Phone Calls First

Chapter 21: Not Even Ten Suggestions for Improving Congress

Get a Toll-Free Number

Gather Voting Records Online

Post Appropriations Online in a Timely Fashion — Like Immediately

Hire a Historian for the House

Upgrade the House Web Site

Part VII : The Appendixes

Appendix A: Glossary of Congressional and Political Terms

Appendix B: Committees of the 107th Congress

House Standing Committees

Senate Standing Committees

Senate Select and Special Committees

Joint Committees

Introduction

Come to Washington, D.C. and you’re surrounded by enormous, imposing buildings and massive monuments to history, power, and glory. Come to conduct business and you’ll be seated in ornate offices or meet people in luxurious restaurants. On the streets people dressed in dark, formal suits rush to and fro, official identification tags dangling around their necks. Occasionally, the air is broken by the sirens of official motorcades taking high officials and foreign visitors to critical appointments. And gleaming atop a hill overlooking the city is the dome of the Capitol building, the home of the United States Congress.

It can all make you feel overwhelmed and very small. But there’s no reason for you to feel that way. If you’re a citizen and a voter you are the government. You’re the person in charge. And the government is there to serve you.

Nowhere is this truer than in Congress, whose whole purpose is to give you a voice in running the country and to reflect your needs and opinions.

When you have business with Congress, when you’re trying to actually get something done, the institution is likely to seem extremely complex and confusing. However, Congress was created by human beings and human beings can figure it out. It’s also meant to be responsive to the will of the voters, so any citizen can influence its actions. It just takes persistence, determination, and a lot of patience.

Getting something done also requires a basic knowledge of the institution and that’s what Congress For Dummies aims to provide. Like all the For Dummies books, it’s written so that the rest of us can understand this institution that has such power over us — and over which we wield such power.