Maximizing Your Hill Visits
Feb 24, 2016
Maximizing YourHill Visits
Session Overview
• Background and Overview of the Legislative Process• Review Key Congressional Committees• SNA’s CNR Strategy• Preparing for Your Hill Visits
How a Bill Becomes a Law…
if only it was this simple!
Game Changer:Congress’ Casualty List
• Appointed to Senate: 1 House (R)• Elected to Other Office: 1 House (D)• Running for Senate: 12 House (3D, 9R)• Running for Other Office: 4 House (3D, 1R)• Retiring: 21 House (10D, 11R); 6 Senate (4D, 2R)• Resigning: 6 House (2D, 4R); 4 Senate (2D, 2R) • Died: 1 House (R); 1 Senate (D)
• TOTAL: 57 Vacant Seats!
Our Mission:
• Earning the support of current members for SNA’s CNR priorities• Starting from scratch with 57+ new
members in 2015!
Who is Responsible for Child Nutrition Bills in Congress?
• House Education and the Workforce Committee
• Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
House Education and WorkforceJohn Kline (R-MN) George Miller (D-CA)
Retiring
Senate AgricultureDebbie Stabenow (D-MI) Thad Cochran (R-MS)
House Agriculture Appropriations
Robert Aderholt (R-AL) Sam Farr (D-CA)
Senate Agriculture Appropriations
Mark Pryor (D-AR) Roy Blunt (R-MO)
But Who Actually Writes the Bill?
Meet Wayne Stoskopf and “Mysterious Leg. Counsel”
Child Nutrition Programs• Permanently Authorized
- Funded
• CN Reauthorization 2015oDiscretionaryoVehicle for change
SNA’s Legislative Team
• Core TeamoWashington CounseloSNA Legislative StaffoPPL CommitteeoSNA PAC
Our Strategy:
• Educating key Members & staff
• Pushing for regulatory changes
• Drafting legislative language
YOU Can Make the Difference!
Getting Ready
• LAC agenda & conference program
• Know the Position Paper• Be a sponge• Attend sessions• Take notes• Ask questions• Develop key messages
Planning the Tuesday Hill Visit
• State Planning Meetingso Team strategies for
success• Dress for Success
o Comfortable shoes (Marble)
• Security• Be punctual
The Visit• Simple and consistent• Share the moment• Stay involved in the conversation• Study lobbying tips• Stay cool and bi-partisan• Follow-up
How to get around D.C.
• Metro System• Shared Taxi• Congressional
Guide• Map of Capitol
Hill
After your visit• Complete your feedback sheet and return to PPL
Committee• Thank you notes:
o Thank them for meeting with youo Recap the highlights of the meetingo Confirm that you will follow up on information
they requestedo Include your contact information
• Follow up
The Responsibilities of Democracy
• The power of “one”• Speak for those who
cannot• Be a champion for
change
Just one more thing…
CONGRATULATIONS!