120 likes | 249 Views
BESC/CoFARM Visits Orientation & Training Workshop. Nadine Lymn ESA Director of Public Affairs Adrienne Sponberg ASLO Director of Public Affairs. Overview. Short presentations on: Federal budget process Communicating w/Congress Then…. Divide into teams and tailor messages
E N D
BESC/CoFARM Visits Orientation & Training Workshop Nadine Lymn ESA Director of Public Affairs Adrienne Sponberg ASLO Director of Public Affairs
Overview Short presentations on: • Federal budget process • Communicating w/Congress Then…. • Divide into teams and tailor messages • Group feedback on team talking points
The Budget Process Every year, Congress and the President must agree on funding levels for discretionary programs. President’s budget proposal is: • Developed during Summer, Fall • Largely secret process overseen by Office of Management & Budget
President’s Budget Proposal… • President unveils budget on first Monday in February • Surprise….President’s budget is frequently political…..and …..rosy assumptions often used to make proposal more attractive
Enter the Congress R&D programs are considered at two main levels in Congress: • Authorizing committees (e.g. House Science Committee) • Appropriations committees (e.g. House Science, State, Justice, & Commerce and Related Programs subcommittee)
Authorizing Committees DO: • review the substance of programs they oversee • provide guidance to appropriators DON’T: • have actual spending authority
Appropriations… • Hearings occur in Spring • Subcommittees draft and approve their respective bills • Full Appropriations committee considers each bill • Approved bill goes for floor vote
Appropriations… • After passage go to conference committee • Conferees reconcile differences between House and Senate versions • Both houses must vote to approve • President signs or vetoes
Appropriations Surprise! Fiscal year often ends (October 1) without completed appropriations bills Enter the “continuing resolution” to keep unfunded programs from shutting down
Another Possibility Omnibus Bill • Rolls all unfunded bills into one huge bill • Tougher to veto • Allows controversial programs to survive
Individual Members can… Subcommittee Chairs wield enormous power but other members can: Sign ‘Dear Colleagues’ Make Floor statements Make funding requests “Encourage” (bargain with) colleagues
Not a one shot-deal • Summer Recess • Fall • Throughout year, as appropriate Key is to maintain a two-way relationship with staff in members’ offices