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Legislative and Political Update for Novice Advocates

Legislative and Political Update for Novice Advocates. Nina Ozlu Tunceli , Americans for the Arts. Political Power Structure in Washington. Republicans are in control of the Senate (52 GOP + 46 Dem + 2 Independents = 100 Members)

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Legislative and Political Update for Novice Advocates

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  1. Legislative and Political Update for Novice Advocates Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Americans for the Arts

  2. Political Power Structure in Washington • Republicans are in control of the Senate • (52 GOP + 46 Dem + 2 Independents = 100 Members) • Need 60 to prevent a filibuster, 51 for passage of other legislative items) • Republicans are in control of the House • (239 GOP + 196 Dem + 5 Vacancies = 435 Members) • Need 218 to pass anything on the floor • New Trump Administration still working out legislative priorities • Unclear how aligned President Trump is with Congressional GOP • Remember, Mid-term elections for 1/3 of Senate and whole House are next year!

  3. Political Mood in Washington • Republicans are “The Majority” in both chambers but the party is highly fractured across a spectrum of conservatism. • Senate is led by Mitch McConnell of Kentucky • House is led by Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, • Democrats are “The Minority” in both chambers and they are currently unified together for the most part because they are in the minority. • Senate is led by Chuck Schumer of New York • House is led by Nancy Pelosi of California • Very poor communications, respect between Congress and the White House • Budget, Supreme Court nomination, Obamacare

  4. Impact of Political Structure and Mood • GOP controls the legislative agenda, calendar, committees, and chairmanships in both chambers • GOP trying to prove that they can govern after 8 years of divided government • Speaker Paul Ryan took over in October 2015 – First 100 Days Legislative Agenda • Obamacare “repeal and replace” • Budget and appropriations for FY17 and FY18 • Tax reform

  5. Legislative Process • President’s Budget • House & Senate Budget Committees set “allocations” • Floor Votes • House & Senate Appropriations Committees and 13 Subcommittees set specific funding levels for every government agency • Floor Votes • House & Senate Authorizing Committees set programming goals and parameters to receive funding from Appropriations • Floor Votes • Joint House-Senate Conference Committees create one unified bill • Floor Votes • Presidential Veto/Signing into Law • Congressional Veto Override • 2/3 majority needed

  6. Legislative Lingo • Key Appropriations Subcommittees: Interior, Labor-H • Key Authorizing Committees: Educ & Workforce, HELP • Key Tax Committees: Ways & Means, Finance • Omnibus, Minibus, Continuing Resolution C/R • Mark-ups • Caucuses • Co-Sponsorships • Dear Colleagues • Ranking Member

  7. Key Legislative Updates on the Arts • Federal Government’s Fiscal Year • October 1st - September 30th • Current Year = FY17 NEA funding @ $148 million • $2 million increase from last year • Our Request for Next Year = FY18 NEA funding @ $155 million • New Congress, new chairmen, new landscape with unified GOP government.

  8. Developing Your Strategy • What’s the Legislative Issue (Appropriations, Programs, Tax)? • Which Committees Does the Member Sit On? • What’s the Member’s Previous Areas of Art Support? • Is the Member Part of One of the Arts Caucuses? • What Kinds of Facts & Data about the State or District Can I Share? • How Can I Publicize Our Meeting with Pictures, Video and Words? • What’s Most Important to the Member and How Can I Link it to Arts? • How Will I Maintain Contact with Both the DC and District Offices?

  9. What’s Important • Your Story • Your Passion • Your Connections • Your Commitment • Your Perseverance • Your Follow Through

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