What happens in Congress affects all of our lives and extends
into every corner of the economy. Because so much is at stake
there, businesses and other interest groups spend billions of
dollars each year trying to influence it.
Yet, most of these efforts are doomed to futility from the
outset. Only a small percentage of the bills introduced in Congress
actually become law, and most interested parties do not fully
understand why those few bills succeed. More importantly, how to
get Congress to do what they want remains a mystery to them. It is
as if everyone in the place is speaking in the ancient Greek of the
first democracy.
This book will help you understand Congress. Written from the
perspective of one who has helped put a lot of bills on the
President s desk and helped stop a lot more, this book explains in
everyday terms why Congress behaves as it does. Then it shows you
how you can best deploy whatever resources you have to move
Congress in your direction.
You need no longer wonder what goes on in Congress. The book
will allow you to read the news every day and understand what
drives congressional actions. More importantly, you will no longer
waste your time and money on lobbying and advocacy strategies that
do not help your cause or, worse yet, actually hurt it. You will
also learn when congressional actions can and cannot happen
allowing you to spend your resources elsewhere if necessary.
Because you have limited time, this book sticks to the basics
and its chapters are short so that it can be digested rapidly in
smaller chunks. Its advice applies to anyone who wants to affect
the outcomes in Congress.
"By providing a practical guide to lobbying, Persuading Congress
demystifies the ways in which citizens can influence legislation
and achieve their public policy objectives. Anyone who wants to
make a difference through legislation -- not just executives --
needs to read this book, master its lessons, and keep it
handy."
- F. Christopher Arterton, Dean, Graduate School of Political
Management, The George Washington University
"This revealing book pulls back the curtain on the Congressional
decision-making process and, best of all, provides invaluable
advice to corporate executives on effectively influencing not just
national and local legislation but the corporate environment as
well."
-- Robert Clements, Chairman & CEO, EverBank Financial
Corp.
"The Constitution gives Americans the right to petition their
government for a redress of grievances. And no legislature is more
accessible to its own people than the United States Congress. But
rights and access alone do not translate into effective engagement
or useful political action. 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
45 chapters
Summary of Contents
Part I: How Congress Works
A. The Internal Dynamics of Congress
B. External Influences on Congress
Part II: How You Can Influence Congress
A. Facts of Life
B. Personal Tools
C. Intellectual Tools
D. Environmental Tools
E. Practical Tools
F. Opportunities
G. Long-Term Considerations
Appendices
Index
Complete Table of Contents online at
www.PersuadingCongress.com
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