1. #NPS15 WORKING WITH NEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Mitch Coppes Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Manager

2. Political Landscape Balance of Power on Capitol Hill  House remains in Republican control  Republicans take majority from Democrats in Senate

3. Political Landscape Balance of Power in House  247 Republicans (Net +13 Seats)  188 Democrats Balance of Power in House  54 Republicans (Net +9 Seats)  44 Democrats  2 Independents  Bernie Sanders (VT)  Angus King (ME)

6. Freshman Class  71 Freshman Legislators in 114 th Congress  13 Senators (12R, 1D)  58 Representatives (43R, 15D)

7. House Freshman Class

8. Senate Freshman Class

9. Key Committees House Education and the Workforce Committee David Brat (R-VA)Elise Stefanik (R-NY) Buddy Carter (R-GA)Rick Allen (R-GA) Mike Bishop (R-MI)Katherine Clark (D-MA) Glenn Grothman (R-WI)Alma Adams (D-NC) Steve Russell (R-OK)Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) Carlos Curbelo (R-FL)

10. Key Committees House Appropriations Committee David Jolly (R-FL)David Young (D-IA) Evan Jenkins (R-WV)

11. Key Committees Senate Appropriations Committee Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)James Lankford (R-OK) Bill Cassidy (R-LA)Steve Daines (R-MT) Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

12. Ideological Groups Political Factions  Conservative (Tea Party) Republicans  Virtually no role for federal government  Strong focus on fiscal austerity  Willing to go against own party on some issues  Moderate Republicans  Limited role for federal government  Emphasize low taxes and support for private sector  Rank and file with party leadership

13. Ideological Groups Political Factions  Conservative (Blue Dog) Democrats  More conservative on social issues  Role of government is to support “working class”  Occasionally at odds with party leadership  Liberal Democrats  Expanded role of federal government  Emphasis on social safety net  Dominate in party leadership

14. A Tale of Two Freshman Rep. Glenn Grothman (WI-6) Party: Republican Ideology: Conservative Background in Education: University of Wisconsin, B.B.A., J.D. Previous Experience: Attorney, State Legislature District: Eastern Wisconsin

15. A Tale of Two Representatives Rep. Grothman on Education... “I've been vocal against the federal Department of Education and when I get to Congress, I'll work tirelessly to get rid of the unconstitutional department.”

16. A Tale of Two Representatives Rep. Grothman on Education...  Opposes Common Core  repeatedly voted against Common Core and all of its various components and has sponsored legislative proposals to repeal Common Core in Wisconsin  Student Privacy  voted against the government collecting personal information and data from students in state-funded schools.  School Choice  authored legislation providing a refundable tax credit to parents of children in private schools  Student Debt  vocal opponent of all tuition increases in Wisconsin and has advocated for cuts in tuition and student fees, and wants to allowing student debt to be restructured under bankruptcy like most other debts

17. A Tale of Two Representatives Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) Party: Democrat Ideology: Liberal Background in Education: Thomas Edison State College, B.A., University Trustee Previous Experience: State Legislature District: Urban/Suburban New Jersey

18. A Tale of Two Representatives Rep. Watson Coleman on Education... “Education is the great equalizer.”

19. A Tale of Two Representatives Rep. Watson Coleman on Education...  Supports Public Schools  strong advocate for our public school system in the guaranteeing equal access to education and promoting diversity  Charter Schools  recognizes that while charter schools may serve specific niches and limited purposes, they should not be a replacement for the public school system  College Affordability  worked to support appropriations for higher education grants for financial assistance with public colleges, universities, and vocational schools as state legislator  strong supporter of Pell Grants and tuition forgiveness programs that reduce the high burden of obtaining degrees  CTE  Believes or children should be exposed to trade and vocational opportunities early

20. Talking to Freshman Staff  Young…even by Capitol Hill standards  Holdover from the campaign  Limited to no knowledge of CTE issues  May not be permanent staff on CTE issues

21. Talking to Freshman Staff  Chief of Staff (COS)  Legislative Director (LD)  Legislative Assistant (LA)  Legislative Correspondent (LC)  Staff Assistant  Fellow  Intern

22. Talking to Congress Messaging  Know your audience  New to Congress and sometimes to elected office  May not yet have policy positions on CTE  Policy agenda still being formed  Positions framed by campaign  Look to campaign website  Be mindful of seniority  Freshman may have limited clout

23. Talking to Freshman Messaging  Incorporate message into “big issues” of today  Jobs and the economy  CTE prepares students of jobs in 21 st century economy and offers retraining opportunities for those in need of a job now.  Spending and debt  Investing in CTE through Perkins will bring a strong return. It will help get more Americans back to work, spur economic growth and build a highly-skilled workforce.

24. Face-to-face meeting  Members are normally in their DC office Tuesday- Thursday, and in a district office Friday-Monday.  Attend a legislative forum held by your member. Members tend to hold weekly “coffee hours” open to all constituents.  Invite a member to see your program. General Lobbying Tips

25. Do your homework Know the issues – visit acteonline.org, read “CTE Policy Watch Blog.” Know the legislator by checking out his/her voting record and background and learning priority issues. Have data and specifics on how issues can impact your school and your district Know your position and the rationale for that position. (acteonline.org, “CTE Policy Watch Blog.”)

26. General Lobbying Tips Be on time, flexible and brief Be punctual and patient Not uncommon for lawmakers to be late or cut short meeting Be flexible to their schedule and continue meeting with available staff Be concise and to the point in discussion Use short written materials like fact sheets

27. General Lobbying Tips Select a spokesperson Select a primary spokesperson when visiting with a group If possible, spokesperson should be from that district Spokesperson should lead the conversation Divide up discussion topics among other members of the group

28. General Lobbying Tips Make a local connections Let them know that there are constituents in the group Find mutual points of reference Provide local examples and cite local success stories Make the connection from policy to local programs

29. General Lobbying Tips Listen carefully and utilize expertise Share insight as a practitioner Use anecdotes and stories to make your point Carefully listen to response and identify areas of common agreement or difference of opinion Answer questions to the best of your ability and do not be afraid to admit you do not have an answer

30. General Lobbying Tips Have a specific ask  If you are lobbying for a specific bill, ask for a yes or no vote.  “We encourage the Senator to vote yes on H.R. 3479.”  If you are lobbying for issue support, ask for their support.  “I hope we can count on the Congressman’s support for CTE issues.” If you don’t ask, they don’t know

31. General Lobbying Tips Summarize key points and make an exit Time permitting, wrap up the key points you discussed in the meeting Leave your written material and contact information Try not to go over the allotted time for the meeting (around 15 mins) Remember to thank them for their time and leave promptly

32. General Lobbying Tips Follow up Send a thank you note to the staff with any follow up information your promised Remind them of the key points you covered in the meeting Continue to build relationships with staff and lawmakers Periodically send information that may be of interest to the office Be sure to extend an invitation to visit your program

33. Finding A Freshman

36. Contact Information Association for Career and Technical Education 800-826-9972 www.acteonline.org Mitch Coppes mcoppes@acteonline.org