Capitol Hill Workshop
Politics, Policy, and Process

Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. In this engaging workshop and seminar on legislative operations, Washington-based experts focus on these 3 P's.  They discuss the policy-making process and the legislative agenda, help you understand the congressional budget process, and demystify the culture of the U.S. Congress.

You will gain a solid understanding of:

• Congressional operations
• The legislative process
• The role of OMB in the legislative process
• How legislation is modified and amended at different stages
• House and Senate floor procedure
• How public and foreign policy become law
• Congressional politics and leadership
• Congressional budgeting today
• The role of committees
• The committee hearing process (and see a congressional hearing in person)
• Issues facing Congress
• Effective communication with Congress
• How the media covers the Hill, the White House, the Pentagon and national security
• Current campaign and election trends
• How members of Congress advance their legislative, public policy and political agendas
• The roles and functions of personal and committee staff
• How you can build win/win relationships with congressional staff

You will attend a congressional hearing and see the process in action. We will also have one or two separate lunch presentations: 1) a historical perspective of the overthrow of House Speaker Joseph Cannon in 1910 and how that shaped the current role of the House Speaker; or 2) a discussion of Congressional hearings and testimony-the dynamics of the hearing process and what makes for effective testimony. (These lunch presentations may vary depending on current events and scheduling.)

Plus outstanding course materials - materials include the then-available Congressional Directory, the Training Edition of Persuading Congress, and the Training Edition of the award-winning Congressional Deskbook.

This congressional briefing workshop is designed for executives, federal employees GS-13 and above, military officers, supervisory personnel, and Leadership Development participants, to meet these leadership competencies: Strategic Vision, Planning and Quality; Identifying/Integrating Key Issues; Setting Work Priorities; Balancing National/Local Interests; Problem Anticipation/Adjustment; Managing Budgetary Processes; and Senior Level Communication.

Also see

• The New Congress

• Update on Congress

• The President's Budget

• The Defense Budget

• Capitol Hill Workshop: Election
  

This is a required course for the Certificate in Congressional Operations.
This is a required course for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy.

Space is limited. 

	Capitol Hill Workshop materials include the Training Edition of the Congressional Deskbook "It is hard to imagine an interested citizen or policy practitioner who would not learn something from the Congressional Deskbook." -- Steve Frantzich, Professor, Department of Political Science, U.S. Naval Academy "The Congressional Deskbook is perfect for anyone who wants to understand how Congress works. It is concise, clarion clear and comprehensive all at once. It is spare and crisp -- but it never oversimplifies. It is written in lay language, but it never 'dumbs it down.' The Congressional Deskbook is a unique tool, one that I use regularly." -- David Hawkings, Senior Editor, Congressional Quarterly
	Capitol Hill Workshop materials include the Training Edition of Persuading Congress In Persuading Congress, Joseph Gibson, a longtime veteran of Capitol Hill, offers masterful counsel to anyone who wants to work well with Congress. In Washington, there are well over 10,000 registered lobbyists. Very few grasp and convey the keys to successful advocacy as well as Gibson does." -- Martin Gold, Covington & Burling, Washington, DC
	Capitol Hill Workshop materials include the Training Edition of Lobbying and Advocacy "A great resource for anyone who works in Washington or who wants to know how public policy advocacy really works." -- Andy Mekelburg, Vice President, Federal Government Relations, Verizon
	Capitol Hill Workshop materials include the then-available Congressional Directory Directory of the members of the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, with color photos, and fold-out map of Capitol Hill.   Wire spiral bound for easy use.

Agenda	Capitol Hill Workshop Also see 2012 Election Capitol Hill Workshop November 14-16, 2012 8:30 am - 4:00 pm all three days (networking lunch each day at approximately 12 noon) Two separate lunch presentations are included: 1) a historical perspective of the overthrow of House Speaker Joseph Cannon in 1910 and how that shaped the current role of the House Speaker; and 2) a discussion of Congressional hearings and testimony--the dynamics of the hearing process and what makes for effective testimony. These lunch presentations may vary depending on current events and scheduling. Day One   The Dynamics of Congress   Today's Legislative Process and Congressional Operations   Politics and Leadership in the Current Congress   Public Policy and Foreign Policy Making in Congress and in Washington Day Two   Attend Congressional Hearings   Washington Advocacy: Communicating Effectively with Congress   Presidential-Congressional Relations   Campaign and Election Trends and Election Update   A Member's Perspective on Politics and Policy Day Three   Congressional Budgeting Today   How the Media Covers Washington: The White House, Capitol Hill, and national security and the Pentagon   The Work of Personal and Committee Staff   For a printable course description, agenda with dates, and registration form, click here.  PDF This workshop is also available as a custom program. A sample Defense/Security focus agenda is available as a pdf. A sample Homeland Security focus agenda is available as a pdf. Do you need a training course we don't offer or coverage of an additional topic in this course? If you have suggestions for courses or topics you would like to see us offer, please contact us or complete our online suggestion form.
Suggested Prerequisites	The Capitol Hill Workshop gives a broad overview of how Capitol Hill works and how policy is made. All will gain valuable insight and perspective, regardless of Hill experience. Previous attendees include executives, managers, agency staff, technical staff, military officers, government relations professionals, lawyers, teachers, elected officials, program analysts, budget analysts, and others who need a solid overview of Congress and the Hill. If you need help deciding which courses you should take based on your work experience or training, please contact us via email or phone: 703-739-3790.
Time and Dates	8:30 am to 4:00 pm each day W-F, March 7-9, 2012 W-F, June 13-15, 2012 W-F, September 19-21, 2012 W-F, November 14-16, 2012 Election CHW W-F, March 6-8, 2013 If you get a "Wait List Only" message when registering, please select the next available dates.
Location	March 7-9, 2012     March 7, 2012: Goethe-Institut, 812 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC  (Gallery Place / Chinatown Metro stop)  Our map | Google Map    March 8&9, 2012: Hall of the States, 444 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC (1 1/2 blocks from the Union Station Metro stop)  Our map | Google Map Other dates::  Location in Washington, DC, will be announced before Workshop. For a map with a brief list of hotels near the Capitol, click here. Our courses are held at these Washington, DC, locations.
Course Materials	Workshop materials include the Training Edition of the Congressional Deskbook, the Training Edition of the Persuading Congress, the Training Edition of Lobbying and Advocacy, and the then-available Congressional Directory.
Certificate of Training and CEUs	A Certificate of Training is available for this course. To get a Certificate of Training, your registration fee must be paid in full, and you must attend the entire course. This course is approved for 1.7 CEUs from George Mason University. This is a required course for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy. This is a required course for the Certificate in Congressional Operations.
Related Training	Advanced Legislative Strategies Advanced Federal Budget Process Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony Drafting Effective Federal Legislation and Amendments How to Find, Track, and Monitor Congressional Documents The New Congress Update on Congress The President's Budget The Defense Budget Capitol Workshop: Election
Policies	For this course, cancellations and transfers must be submitted in writing to us. Our transfer and cancellation fees are outlined below. Transfer and Cancellation Fee Time Before Course Substitutions Allowed Transfer Fee Cancellation Fee More than 4 weeks No charge None None 2 to 4 weeks No charge 10% of tuition 25% of tuition 3 days to 2 weeks No charge 20% of tuition 50% of tuition 1 to 2 days No charge 30% of tuition 75% of tuition day of program (no refunds to no-shows) No charge No refund No refund No refunds for no shows. We reserve the right to change this fee and time period.  Cancellation, Substitution and Transfer Policy  Weather Policy TCN reserves the right to cancel any course in the event of insufficient registrations. All statements and discussion at all of our courses, workshops and seminars, public and custom, are off the record and not for attribution, unless specified otherwise. The resulting confidentiality ensures a frank and free exchange of views.
FAQs	FAQs about our training including suggested attire.
Register	$1295 Payment methods we accept include checks, EFT/ACH, and Intuit Payment Network (IPN).   If you get a "Wait List Only" message when registering, please select the next available dates.   For a printable course description, agenda with dates, and registration form, click here.  PDF Fax or Mail: Print out and complete the registration form (in Adobe pdf). The completed form should include your method of payment.    Fax the completed form to us at 703-739-1195.    Mail the completed form to us at TheCapitol.Net, Inc., PO Box 25706, Alexandria, VA  22313-5706
Related Resources	Capitol Learning Audio Courses TM Congressional Operations Working with Congress and Congressional Staff Congress by the Numbers Congressional Deskbook Congressional Directory Congressional Leadership and Committees (listing) Congressional Operations Poster Essential Washington and Hill Web Sites Federal Budget Links and Research Tools Glossary of Congressional and Legislative Terms Legislative Drafter's Deskbook Lobbying and Advocacy Links Persuading Congress Quick DC Links - Washington Essentials Testifying Before Congress The Federal Budget Process, Government Series
Educational Tracks	How Congress Works Track Strategies for Working with Congress Track
Available as custom, on-site training?	Yes.  This program is frequently tailored for on-site agency and military training.  Please call 703-739-3790 for information. This course can be tailored as a 3-day, 4-day, or 5-day Capitol Hill Workshop completely covering all congressional operations.
Need more information?	Phone: 703-739-3790 Email: registrar -at- TheCapitol.Net Complete our online information request.
Non-Partisan	TheCapitol.Net is a non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty, authors, clients and the owners and operators of its vendors are their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net.

URLs: www.TheCapitol.Net/PublicPrograms/chw3.html 
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Next Workshop
March 7-9, 2012
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location (below)
$1295

   
Approved for 1.7 CEUs from George Mason University.

All of our courses and workshops include extensive interaction with our faculty, making our courses and workshops both educational and mini-consulting sessions with substantive experts.

Rave Reviews

"One of the best courses I've taken under govt sponsorship." 
 -- Program Director, FAA

"This course has unveiled a lot of 'mystery' for me regarding how Congress works. Fantastic experts who provided relevant, timely, and concise information."
-- Workshop Attendee, Naval Sea Systems Command

"All speakers were spectacular, and providing their powerpoints is a huge plus!"
-- Communications Director, National American Indian Housing Council

"Provides excellent insight into legislative workings of Congress which will only improve our abilities to work with Congress.  Great & insightful presentations.  Wonderful workshop!  Thanks for attention to details."
-- Chief of Contracting, U.S. Air Force

"Excellent choice of presenters.  Would recommend this workshop to anybody interested in learning how Washington really works." 
-- Program Manager, FAA

"What an outstanding 3 days!  A wonderful use of my time. All aspects of this program were useful." 
-- Director, Public Affairs, Fortune 500 company

"Taught me how to communicate effectively with House and Senate members."   
-- Workshop Attendee, Navy Sea Systems

"Excellent course. Every Federal Manager should take it." 
-- Deputy Director, Office of Competitive Sourcing Acquisition, FAA

"What an extraordinary group of speakers. All were extremely dynamic." 
-- Senior Administrator, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

"I was able to get 'real-world' insight into the actual operations of congress. It was awesome."  
-- Group Manager, Government Agency

See more testimonials about the Capitol Hill Workshop.

Faculty

A team of more than 12 Hill and political experts, each with at least 10 years' experience in observing or working with or in Congress, teach this intensive 3-day course.

Select Previous Faculty

Ken Ackerman

Hon. Michael Andrews

Col. Michael Barron

Steven Billet

Glen Bolger

Clinton Brass

Hon. Jim Chapman

Ann Compton

Rhodes Cook

Stephen Daggett

Chris Davis

Sid Davis

Chris Deering

John Donnelly

Hon. Thomas Downey

Hon. Dennis Eckart

Ron Elving

Ron Faucheux

Hon. Vic Fazio

Lee Fritschler

Jim Garamone

Deanna Gelak

Don Gessaman

Philip Joyce

Sheilah Kast

William LaForge

Bob Levi

Robert McLean

Col. Alan Metzler

Roy Meyers

Cleta Mitchell

Ned Monroe

Walter Oleszek

Betsy Palmer

Chuck Parkinson

Paul Powell

David Rehr

Steve Roberts

Mark Rozell

Paul Rundquist

Hon. Patricia Schroeder

Hon. David Skaggs

Hon. Jim Slattery

James Thurber

Pat Towell

Gene Ulm

Hon. Robert Walker

Stephen Wayne

Hon. William Zeliff

Our Clients

Congressional Offices

Federal Agencies

Military

NGOs and Nonprofits

Diplomatic Corps

Fortune 500

Law Firms

Lobbying Firms

Labor Unions

Associations