committee

Legacies are often built in the legislative arena – getting your boss's vision enacted into law. As a new Member of Congress, how do you become an effective lawmaker? As a congressional staffer, how can you help your boss define their policy agenda and achieve legislative success? Join CMF and the Center for Effective Lawmaking on Monday, March 29 for this special webinar for freshman offices.

The latest recommendations from the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress are the boldest and most creative set of ideas to improve the Congress in a generation. These proposals, coupled with the previous recommendations, will tangibly improve the House’s public policy process and enhance services to constituents.

In past posts, we've discussed the characteristics of effective Member (personal office) websites. While some overlap exists between award-winning Member and committee websites in terms of usability and timeliness, there is little commonality otherwise.

Shown at the CMF Gold Mouse Awards ceremony on November 16, this video highlights some of our award-winning Members of Congress and staff for the 112^th Congress. In it, they discuss why it’s important to communicate with constituents online.

When I talk to citizens and grassroots advocates, one of the biggest complaints they have is that they feel like they have few avenues to participate in committee processes on the Hill. Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), however, recently gave his constituents a unique opportunity to participate in a House Energy and Environment Subcommittee hearing.

In the first installment of "Inside the Hill", Members of Congress and staff discuss how social media is changing the way Members can communicate with their constituents.

Selecting Committee Assignments

DO's...

• Do recognize the importance that committee assignments play in the success of your first term.

• Do become well-acquainted with the formal rules and processes that govern the assignment of committee seats. Pay particular attention to your party’s committee on committees. Pursue committee assignments that can advance your goals and which reflect your priorities.

• Do start early. Gather information on the seats available and your chances of getting them. Make your selections, and make your case to your colleagues as to why you should be granted a particular assignment.

DON'Ts...

• Don't be discouraged if you do not get your first choice for committee assignment. The appointment of freshman Members to the most prestigious committees is rare. It is common for Members to try to switch panels after two or four years.

Details

Copyright 2020, Congressional Management Foundation
Paperback/Softcover: 312 pages
Publisher: Congressional Management Foundation; 17^th edition (November 3, 2020)
ISBN: 978-1-930473-24-9
Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.25 inches

• Download the entire book in PDF: Setting Course: A Congressional Management Guide - 117th Congress Edition(2.6 MB)

Pricing for Hardcopies

Bulk Price (10+ copies): $25.00 $22.50 (10% off)

*No charge for congressional offices. Please contact us at 202-546-0100 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  if you don't have a complimentary copy in your office.