Legislative and Political Update for Novice Advocates Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Americans for the Arts

Political Power Structure in Washington Republicans are in control of the Senate (52 GOP + 46 Dem + 2 Independents = 100 Members) Need 60 to prevent a filibuster, 51 for passage of other legislative items) Republicans are in control of the House (239 GOP + 196 Dem + 5 Vacancies = 435 Members) Need 218 to pass anything on the floor New Trump Administration still working out legislative priorities Unclear how aligned President Trump is with Congressional GOP Remember, Mid-term elections for 1/3 of Senate and whole House are next year!

Political Mood in Washington Republicans are “The Majority” in both chambers but the party is highly fractured across a spectrum of conservatism. Senate is led by Mitch McConnell of Kentucky House is led by Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Democrats are “The Minority” in both chambers and they are currently unified together for the most part because they are in the minority. Senate is led by Chuck Schumer of New York House is led by Nancy Pelosi of California Very poor communications, respect between Congress and the White House Budget, Supreme Court nomination, Obamacare

Impact of Political Structure and Mood GOP controls the legislative agenda, calendar, committees, and chairmanships in both chambers GOP trying to prove that they can govern after 8 years of divided government Speaker Paul Ryan took over in October 2015 – First 100 Days Legislative Agenda Obamacare “repeal and replace” Budget and appropriations for FY17 and FY18 Tax reform

Legislative Process President’s Budget House & Senate Budget Committees set “allocations” Floor Votes House & Senate Appropriations Committees and 13 Subcommittees set specific funding levels for every government agency House & Senate Authorizing Committees set programming goals and parameters to receive funding from Appropriations Joint House-Senate Conference Committees create one unified bill Presidential Veto/Signing into Law Congressional Veto Override 2/3 majority needed

Legislative Lingo Key Appropriations Subcommittees: Interior, Labor-H Key Authorizing Committees: Educ & Workforce, HELP Key Tax Committees: Ways & Means, Finance Omnibus, Minibus, Continuing Resolution C/R Mark-ups Caucuses Co-Sponsorships Dear Colleagues Ranking Member

Key Legislative Updates on the Arts Federal Government’s Fiscal Year October 1st - September 30th Current Year = FY17 NEA funding @ $148 million $2 million increase from last year Our Request for Next Year = FY18 NEA funding @ $155 million New Congress, new chairmen, new landscape with unified GOP government.

Developing Your Strategy What’s the Legislative Issue (Appropriations, Programs, Tax)? Which Committees Does the Member Sit On? What’s the Member’s Previous Areas of Art Support? Is the Member Part of One of the Arts Caucuses? What Kinds of Facts & Data about the State or District Can I Share? How Can I Publicize Our Meeting with Pictures, Video and Words? What’s Most Important to the Member and How Can I Link it to Arts? How Will I Maintain Contact with Both the DC and District Offices?

What’s Important Your Story Your Passion Your Connections Your Commitment Your Perseverance Your Follow Through