Dear Bureau Pat,

After years of working in the field for a federal agency, I now work at headquarters in DC.  Tomorrow I'm going to "the Hill" for the first time and must admit that I feel those "first-day-of-school" butterflies to a degree I haven't in years. Are my nerves justified or overblown? What should I expect?

Dear Politico,

Keep well clothed, avoid bathroom stall foot tapping, and don't accept any "free" vacations or meals from strangers and you should be OK.  Welcome to the beltway!

Feeling nervous in a new situation is to be expected.  Unfortunately, in this new situation you will learn that the nasty hand of politics is always in play.  As I'm sure you realize, you are now dealing with the Big Kahunas who not only have a direct affect on your personal outcome, but also the well-being of the American citizens your agency serves.

As government staff we usually focus on the mission of our agency and what is best for the American people. Though members of congress should be doing the same, in reality they are each focusing on their own unique constituencies - 535 different ones.  Typically a member of Congress's agenda is be based on:

• Oversight - is this issue within their congressional oversight?
• Reelection - will this issue help me keep my job?
  
• Timing - is it the right time to support or reject this proposal?

Prepare ahead of time by finding out as much as you can about the particular agenda(s) you will be dealing with.  This will help you tailor your message and anticipate questions you may be asked.

So what happens when you go to "the Hill?"

After you get the government security shake down, you will be presenting to either personal and/or committee staff. It might help to know some generalities about the different types of staffers.

Personal staff are usually younger and support their representatives at both a local and national level through their District and Washington offices and are characteristically constituent driven.  The exeptions to this rule are Legislative Directors that help drive the Congressman's legislation through and Chiefs of Staff, that supervise all operations in the member's office. These positions require many years of experience before attaining.

Committee staff are, generally, older than personal staff, specialized and more issue-driven.  The flavor of the conversation will vary depending on who the meeting is with and your position. 

Bureau Pat has met many staffers over the years, and for the most part they are dedicated and talented public servants whose intentions are to do what is best for the American people, even those who work for egomaniacal, red-faced, table-pounding Senators.

In addition to understanding the political agenda of the member(s), you must be able to develop a strategy for judging the political environment by understanding the:

• Overall environment - the issue(s) at the national level
• Department Situation - issue(s)/position(s) at the departmental level
• Agency/Office Situation - issue(s)/position(s) within your agency
• Project/Program Situation - the issue(s) as it affects your support to your project/program

As your meeting begins, it is important to remember we are not lobbyists.  Nor is it our job to placate the egos of the member.  It is important that you strike the appropriate balance to educate the member(s) on whatever topic you were brought to the Hill to discuss, calmly, rationally, thoroughly, and intelligently. 

Remember that what you may perceive as the correct position is not always right.  You must know your agency's position and advocate that over your personal beliefs, unless the agency's position goes against policy. 

The staff or member will push for a commitment to a particular resolution course.  However, if you are not the President or the Secretary of the entire agency, you can't make one on the spot.  So don't overcommit your agency to something you don't have control over. Part of the reason politicians tend to put agency directors on the spot is because it makes them look tough and action-oriented on camera for their supporters.  You do not have to follow their lead.

With that said, Bureau Pat's experiences on "the Hill" all have been interesting with ultimately successful outcomes. I'm certain that you will feel the same, especially now that you are armed with this preparation.  Best of luck to you and if you run into trouble, remember these choice expressions: "we're currently looking into it," and "I'll take that under advisement."

The Only,
 

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