From Inspiration to Legislation How an Idea Becomes a Bill

by Black, Amy E.

• ISBN13: 9780131107540
• ISBN10: 0131107542
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2019-07-16
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Providing an inside view of policy initiation and policy making, this book, written by a former Congressional staff member, offers readers a first-hand account of policy formation from preliminary research to coalition-building, writing the bill, and working with committees to move the bill to the floor.A straightforward, engaging presentation follows the Safe Havens Support Act from the initial idea that inspired the bill, through its crafting and eventual passage as part of larger social services billsand examines the ground-level challenges of a new member of congress developing a legislative agenda.For individuals who want to see how Republicans and Democrats can work together, and how a policy idea becomes a legislative reality.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Introduction: So You Want To Pass A Bill?	1	(10)
Breaking Down Barriers: Melissa Hart's Road to Washington	2	(3)
Entering Politics	2	(2)
Establishing Priorities in the State Senate	4	(1)
From the State Legislature to Congress	5	(1)
Establishing a Congressional Office	6	(1)
The Staff Hierarchy	7	(2)
Chapter Summary	9	(1)
Notes	10	(1)
Reinventing The Wheel: Conducting Background Research	11	(14)
The Importance of Doing Your Homework	12	(2)
Legislative History	12	(2)
The Art of Policy Research	14	(5)
Identifying the Problem	14	(1)
Discovering Gaps in the Research	15	(2)
Setting Realistic Research Goals	17	(1)
Looking for Areas of Need	18	(1)
Identifying Friends and Foes	18	(1)
Resources Available to Congressional Staff	19	(4)
Other Staff in the Member's Office	20	(1)
The Congressional Research Service	20	(2)
The Party Caucus or Conference	22	(1)
Committee Staff and Web Sites	22	(1)
Pressing on toward the Goal	23	(1)
Chapter Summary	23	(1)
Notes	24	(1)
Education And Alliances: Working With Organized Interests And Caucuses	25	(15)
The Importance of Working with Outside Groups	25	(1)
The Role and Function of Interest Groups	26	(6)
Information and Expertise	29	(2)
Networks for Mobilizing Support	31	(1)
Can We All Get Along? Anticipating Opposition	32	(3)
Discovering Active Opposition	32	(1)
Neither Hot nor Cold: Working with Critics	33	(2)
The Importance of Political Timing	35	(1)
The Role of Congressional Caucuses	35	(3)
Chapter Summary	38	(1)
Notes	38	(2)
Power To The People: Learning From The Grassroots with Christopher Upham	40	(12)
The Role of Grassroots Activism	40	(2)
Abandoned Infants at the Grassroots	42	(4)
A Secret Safe Place for Newborns	42	(2)
A.M.T. Children of Hope	44	(2)
The Promise and Perils of Grassroots Activism	46	(3)
Learning from Locals: The Benefits	47	(1)
Working with Activists: Potential Drawbacks	48	(1)
Chapter Summary	49	(1)
Notes	50	(2)
The Search For Solutions: Transferring Ideas Into Policy	52	(18)
Leading the Way: States as Sources of Innovation	52	(2)
Laboratories of Democracy: Learning from the States	54	(3)
Safe Havens in the States	56	(1)
Finding the Federal Issues: A Role for Congress?	57	(2)
How Old Is an Infant? Drafting H.R. 2018	59	(5)
Writing an Initial Draft	59	(1)
Findings	59	(1)
Designing a Policy Program	60	(1)
Defining Terms	61	(1)
Authorizing Funding	61	(3)
Interest Groups and Legislative Language	64	(1)
The Office of Legislative Counsel	65	(1)
Changing Horses Midstream	66	(2)
Chapter Summary	68	(1)
Notes	68	(2)
Winning Friends To Influence People: Cosponsors And Coalitions	70	(16)
Finding Common Ground on an Uncommon Issue	71	(1)
Can We All Get Along? Partisan Politics in the Contemporary Congress	71	(2)
Patterns of Partisanship	73	(1)
Bridging the Partisan Divide: Building Coalitions	74	(2)
Signing on the Dotted Line: Building Support for Legislation	76	(8)
Securing Cosponsors	76	(1)
Finding the Lead Democratic Cosponsor	77	(1)
Circulating ``Dear Colleague'' Letters	78	(1)
Capitalizing on Caucus Connections	79	(2)
Personal Lobbying	81	(1)
Letters of Support from Outside Groups	81	(1)
Party Leadership	82	(2)
Chapter Summary	84	(1)
Notes	84	(2)
Lights, Camera, Action! Developing Media Strategy	86	(19)
The News Media: Pervasive and Important	86	(1)
Working from Both Ends: Attracting Local and National News Coverage	87	(2)
National Media Coverage of Congress	87	(1)
Patterns of Local Coverage of Members of Congress	88	(1)
Media Strategy: Capturing Public Attention	89	(2)
News Hooks	90	(1)
The Best Defense Is a Good Offense	91	(1)
Tools of the Communications Trade	91	(5)
Internet Web Sites	91	(1)
Constituent Newsletters	92	(1)
Press Releases	92	(2)
Op-Eds	94	(1)
Letters to the Editor	95	(1)
Media Interviews	95	(1)
Staged Events	95	(1)
Anatomy of a Press Conference	96	(3)
Media Advisories	96	(1)
Press Release	96	(1)
Press Kits	97	(1)
Staff Members Available to Reporters	98	(1)
Capturing Local Media Coverage: A Success Story	99	(1)
Location, Location	99	(1)
Invited Guests	99	(1)
Resulting Press Coverage	100	(1)
Staging a Washington Press Conference: Pitfalls and Setbacks	100	(2)
Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Safe Havens Lobby Day	102	(1)
Chapter Summary	103	(1)
Notes	104	(1)
Finding A Way To The Floor: A Bill Becomes Two Laws	105	(17)
Into the Hopper: Introducing Legislation	106	(1)
The Committee Process	106	(4)
Types of Committees	107	(1)
The Committee Assignment Process	108	(1)
Committee Leadership	109	(1)
Committee Referrals	109	(1)
Roles and Functions of Committee Staff	110	(1)
Working with Committees on Safe Havens: Finding the Right Vehicle	111	(3)
Abandoned Infants Assistance Act	112	(1)
Promoting Safe and Stable Families	112	(1)
Other Potential Revenue Sources	113	(1)
Committee Procedure	114	(2)
Public Hearings	114	(1)
Committee Markups	115	(1)
Committee Reports	116	(1)
From the Committee to the Floor	116	(2)
House Calendars	117	(1)
The Senate Legislative Calendar	117	(1)
From Calendar to Floor Business	117	(1)
From Chamber to Chamber	118	(1)
The Last Steps	119	(1)
A Bill Becomes Two Laws	119	(1)
Chapter Summary	120	(1)
Notes	121	(1)
Conclusion: From Inspiration To Legislation	122	(7)
A Sum Greater than its Parts	123	(1)
The Importance of the Grassroots	123	(1)
The Role of Expertise	123	(1)
Building and Maintaining Relationships	123	(1)
Seeking Creative Solutions	124	(1)
The Limits of Politics	124	(2)
Congressional Power and Weakness	125	(1)
Competition for Attention	125	(1)
Ideals and Compromise	125	(1)
A Few Caveats	126	(1)
Conclusion	126	(1)
Note	127	(2)
Appendix A Text Of The Original Safe Havens Support Act	129	(4)
Glossary	133	(10)
Index	143