Eight straight weeks of Senate activity. We’re hunkering down to get our bills considered in committee, and keeping up with constituent visits, breakfasts, and responding to requests to sign onto “Dear Colleague” letters, which request co-sponsorship on bills and appropriation requests.
Before recess ended, I slipped into the Library of Congress for a library card - more a souvenir than necessity, since Congressional staff has full access with an ID. I also took advantage of the time to see the play, "History Boys," midweek up at the Studio Theater on 14th and P Sts, NW (the center of Washington's African-American nightlife for much of the 20th century and the birthplace of Duke Ellington). I was touched by the tension in the play about teaching to the heart and transforming lives, or teaching for a tangible student accomplishment (exams, building a resume, getting into college), not that they’re mutually exclusive.
PBS has been showing that great series, "Unnatural Causes," on Thursday evenings. If only the legislature were watching. http://www.pbs.org/unnaturalcauses/What’s happening with the budget now? According to a source at work to which I subscribe:
"House and Senate Democrats need to begin reconciling their versions of the FY09budget resolution. The two measures are similar except in one major respect: The House version includes "reconciliation" instructions to produce filibuster-proof Medicare and alternative minimum tax measures, or other initiatives Democrats see fit to include so long as the overall impact is to reduce the deficit.
"The Senate version does not include reconciliation, which placated moderates like Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who voted for the Democratic budget. Snowe said she will not support the final version if it includes reconciliation. Snowe said the complex health and tax issues within the Finance Committee's jurisdiction were best left to be handled in that panel, where she sits, on a bipartisan basis.
"Using reconciliation would make it a partisan process by cutting Republicans out of the process, as reconciliation enables the majority to get around a filibuster by allowing only a simple majority, rather than the normal 60-vote threshold, to pass legislation."
Another resource that I use regularly, in addition to the Legislative Information Services (info that you can access on Thomas.gov) is the policy information from the party policy sites, in my case, http://democrats.senate.gov/dpc/. The Republican Party also provides this service to the Republican offices.
And a third source which I like is sent to my inbox at 12:01am (not that I read it then), updated twice daily: CongressDailyAM, with such info as:
HEALTH
"The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to mark up legislation this week to give FDA authority over tobacco, according to lobbyists and congressional sources. The committee is looking to Wednesday for the markup.
"Republicans so far have produced nearly 30 amendments. But which ones they will offer is unclear. Also still unclear is whether committee Democrats have or will address Republican concerns that a fee in the bill collected from tobacco companies technically is a tax that falls under House Ways and Means Committee jurisdiction.
"The bill would task FDA with regulating tobacco products, including their ingredients and warning label requirements. The measure would ban flavored cigarettes and directs FDA to create tobacco product standards, though it leaves to Congress the power to ban tobacco products or reduce nicotine levels to zero.
"Introduced by House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman, the bill has 220 co-sponsors. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved similar legislation in August. The full Senate has yet to consider the bill.
"Also on Wednesday, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee will hear from Jesse Goodman, FDA's biologics center director, on the division's FY09 budget request.
"Meanwhile, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Actuary Richard Foster will address the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Tuesday about Medicare trustees' recent projection that the program will become insolvent by 2019.
"Foster will likely repeat statements that Congress eventually will need to take major action to address the funding shortfalls.
"Reacting to the trustees' report, Health Subcommittee Chairman Fortney (Pete) Stark, D-Calif., said the most immediate way to fix the funding problems is to eliminate extra payments to private Medicare Advantage plans, an idea that has gone nowhere. Stark also said lawmakers "should not succumb to alarmist claims that the sky is falling."
"Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute last week, Foster said the Medicare Part B projections are understated by 10-20 percent because they assume a 10percent physicians' pay cut scheduled will go into effect July 1 and another 5 percent cut will occur Jan. 1. "That's not plausible," Foster said, predicting that lawmakers would temporarily halt that pay cut as they have in the past.
"The American Medical Association is holding its annual conference this week, and its main legislative focus will be on stopping the pay cut from going into effect. AMA will hold a rally on Capitol Hill Wednesday to call attention to the issue, saying that 60 percent of physicians will be forced to limit their Medicare patients if the pay cut is implemented.
"On Thursday, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on a bill sponsored by Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell to place a one-year moratorium on seven Medicaid regulations recently published by CMS.
"CBO estimates that the rules will costs states about $20 billion over five years. Congress already has a stay in place for four of the Medicaid regulations, but that is set to expire in July.
"Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Edward Kennedy and ranking member Michael Enzi will join members of the business community Wednesday to release a report on health information technology and call for action on a bill that would spur health providers to adopt an interoperable electronic system for storing health data."
It keeps us current on what’s happening this week and make sure that we’re prepared. The health staff from the Democratic Policy Committee also sends the Democratic office health LA’s current info on bills, committee meetings, briefings and other timely events.
With warmer weather, I’m walking more and the walking shoes are working well. Now I need more comfortable socks, as I’m starting to get blisters. I hope to get this wardrobe issue right before it’s time to go home…
Question: what public-health related federal policy do you recommend Congress pursue this year (maybe I can make progress on it)?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Cherry Blossoms!
While the temperature is still cool (30's - 50's), you know it's spring when the tourists descend on the district for the cherry blossoms in full bloom. And it is spectacular. As you walk around the tidal basin with the cherry trees arching overhead and into the water, you're walking through a pink tunnel filled - yes, with tourists in your path as they pose for photos with their friends. Lots of cameras, dogs, and families. It's actually very nice. And it looked like a million other people thought so, too! In addition to the activities with the Cherry Blossom Festival, there was a marathon race and kite flying on the mall http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/.
The District of Columbia is a full garden zone ahead of my hometown in NJ, so while blooms happen sequentially back home – crocus, daffodil, magnolia, hyacinth, tulip, iris, etc, here they all bloom at once! The trees are yellow and pink, flowers blooming, shrubs a young green, and that great mulch smell! Mmmm!
Had dinner with friends and spouse in great restaurants: Rasika (fabulous Indian in Penn Quarter), Sake Club (Japanese up in Woodley Park) and Central (also in Penn Quarter). Have to fuel the D.C. economy while I'm here, right? Also had a chance during lunch to walk around the NE neighborhood and find the Eastern Market - just like Reading Market - growers and other vendors side by side in a large building selling meat, fruit and vegetables, cheese, flowers, nuts, etc. We should all be so lucky to have a market like this one. And the neighborhood was historic brownstones, cobblestones (that's homes and roads) and ethnic restaurants. I could live here!
I've been revealed. The APHA "Nation's Health" had a story on the fellowship timed to the release of the application for the 2009 fellowship opportunity. http://www.apha.org/advocacy/fellowship/ So if any of your readers (besides my mom) are thinking about applying - go for it! It's been a fabulous opportunity for me, learning about the process and issues in Congress, enjoying our amazing capitol, and gaining a new appreciation about democracy (at least how and when it works). I'm also willing to answer anyone's questions about my experience.
Took a great bicycle ride this weekend down the Mount Vernon trail to historic Alexandria. Had to stop on the path by National Reagan airport to see the planes taking off directly (and I mean directly) overhead. Boy, those wheels pull up fast! Also explored the East and West Potomac Park - good prospects for a ten-mile exercise loop. Visited my old friend, Abe (Lincoln, monument, that is - and he still inspires), and dragged my husband through all of the monuments, war memorials, and Rock Creek Park bike path up to the National Cathedral. It sounds impressive, but it's all less than 20 miles round trip (although there is one big hill to the cathedral, and well worth it).
Swung by the Georgetown Cupcake place to try my luck again. Prospects looked good as it was mid-day and no line! But alas, the sign in the window said: closed for private party. I may never have that cupcake!
Last week of recess (oops, still "district work period"). My week included preparing for two bill introductions this coming week. I drafted a bill summary (a "one-pager" to be included with press releases and "dear colleague" letters to other senate offices inviting their members to cosponsor), checked with leg counsel and CRS (Congressional Research Service - love them!) to assure constitutionality of language, and spoke with coalition members to review action steps.
I'm observing how important it is for organizations to work as a coalition, to connect with a Member's office with data, to supply research and individual stories and experiences, to trigger communication by constituents to many Congressional offices asking for bill support and co-sponsorship. In some cases, these coalitions even supply draft language for the bill, or even the idea/request for the bill itself.
Many offices also pay very close attention to the volume as well as quality of constituent contact. What's being asked for, who are experts in our district/state, and how often are we being asked? I've observed that offices truly care and make an effort to respond to constituent needs. And when contact is made by non-constituent groups, there's always the question as to whether the specific state/district is also affected.
As we're preparing for several other bills for introduction, I reviewed existing authorized research looking for gaps in needs and services, organized a briefing on the subject with CRS, continued meeting with constituents, attended a briefing on the troublesome Medicaid regulation changes, and reviewed how those rules would affect services in my Member's state. I'm learning so much! Also attended a briefing organized by an AAAS fellow on another issue for my state's full delegation. That, too, was interesting, and tangentially related to public health (few things aren't, frankly).
I also slipped out Wednesday morning to see if I could catch the Supreme Court in session. After standing in line (on line?) at 8:30am and missing the cut off for the 10am session, I chatted with the tourists and residents remaining on line (in line?) and at 11:10am, made it in. And this time they don't take your purse (although they still prefer that you check it in the lockers provided - but you still need 25 cents). I missed the session where they considered the question of whether you're competent to represent yourself if you're incompetent to stand trial. The case I watched was whether you had to have a confirmed plan for bankrupcy before selling any assets: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/daycall/daycall_03-26-08.pdf
This week, the Senate is back in session. I hope to "drop" the bill myself on Tuesday!
Question: where does Cokie Roberts (NPR) sit in the Supreme Court chambers, and is she related to the chief justice? [Bill - you can't answer until you send me your email address...]
The District of Columbia is a full garden zone ahead of my hometown in NJ, so while blooms happen sequentially back home – crocus, daffodil, magnolia, hyacinth, tulip, iris, etc, here they all bloom at once! The trees are yellow and pink, flowers blooming, shrubs a young green, and that great mulch smell! Mmmm!
Had dinner with friends and spouse in great restaurants: Rasika (fabulous Indian in Penn Quarter), Sake Club (Japanese up in Woodley Park) and Central (also in Penn Quarter). Have to fuel the D.C. economy while I'm here, right? Also had a chance during lunch to walk around the NE neighborhood and find the Eastern Market - just like Reading Market - growers and other vendors side by side in a large building selling meat, fruit and vegetables, cheese, flowers, nuts, etc. We should all be so lucky to have a market like this one. And the neighborhood was historic brownstones, cobblestones (that's homes and roads) and ethnic restaurants. I could live here!
I've been revealed. The APHA "Nation's Health" had a story on the fellowship timed to the release of the application for the 2009 fellowship opportunity. http://www.apha.org/advocacy/fellowship/ So if any of your readers (besides my mom) are thinking about applying - go for it! It's been a fabulous opportunity for me, learning about the process and issues in Congress, enjoying our amazing capitol, and gaining a new appreciation about democracy (at least how and when it works). I'm also willing to answer anyone's questions about my experience.
Took a great bicycle ride this weekend down the Mount Vernon trail to historic Alexandria. Had to stop on the path by National Reagan airport to see the planes taking off directly (and I mean directly) overhead. Boy, those wheels pull up fast! Also explored the East and West Potomac Park - good prospects for a ten-mile exercise loop. Visited my old friend, Abe (Lincoln, monument, that is - and he still inspires), and dragged my husband through all of the monuments, war memorials, and Rock Creek Park bike path up to the National Cathedral. It sounds impressive, but it's all less than 20 miles round trip (although there is one big hill to the cathedral, and well worth it).
Swung by the Georgetown Cupcake place to try my luck again. Prospects looked good as it was mid-day and no line! But alas, the sign in the window said: closed for private party. I may never have that cupcake!
Last week of recess (oops, still "district work period"). My week included preparing for two bill introductions this coming week. I drafted a bill summary (a "one-pager" to be included with press releases and "dear colleague" letters to other senate offices inviting their members to cosponsor), checked with leg counsel and CRS (Congressional Research Service - love them!) to assure constitutionality of language, and spoke with coalition members to review action steps.
I'm observing how important it is for organizations to work as a coalition, to connect with a Member's office with data, to supply research and individual stories and experiences, to trigger communication by constituents to many Congressional offices asking for bill support and co-sponsorship. In some cases, these coalitions even supply draft language for the bill, or even the idea/request for the bill itself.
Many offices also pay very close attention to the volume as well as quality of constituent contact. What's being asked for, who are experts in our district/state, and how often are we being asked? I've observed that offices truly care and make an effort to respond to constituent needs. And when contact is made by non-constituent groups, there's always the question as to whether the specific state/district is also affected.
As we're preparing for several other bills for introduction, I reviewed existing authorized research looking for gaps in needs and services, organized a briefing on the subject with CRS, continued meeting with constituents, attended a briefing on the troublesome Medicaid regulation changes, and reviewed how those rules would affect services in my Member's state. I'm learning so much! Also attended a briefing organized by an AAAS fellow on another issue for my state's full delegation. That, too, was interesting, and tangentially related to public health (few things aren't, frankly).
I also slipped out Wednesday morning to see if I could catch the Supreme Court in session. After standing in line (on line?) at 8:30am and missing the cut off for the 10am session, I chatted with the tourists and residents remaining on line (in line?) and at 11:10am, made it in. And this time they don't take your purse (although they still prefer that you check it in the lockers provided - but you still need 25 cents). I missed the session where they considered the question of whether you're competent to represent yourself if you're incompetent to stand trial. The case I watched was whether you had to have a confirmed plan for bankrupcy before selling any assets: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/daycall/daycall_03-26-08.pdf
This week, the Senate is back in session. I hope to "drop" the bill myself on Tuesday!
Question: where does Cokie Roberts (NPR) sit in the Supreme Court chambers, and is she related to the chief justice? [Bill - you can't answer until you send me your email address...]
Monday, March 24, 2008
March Recess - Hurrah!
I think after the budget vote-arama, everyone is still recuperating, and gearing up for the next wave of legislation. With the Iraq was 5-year anniversary, Bear Stearns bailout, recession in the wings, and concern about gas prices, clean air and water, safe food and toys, and always the economy, with regular distraction of the campaign, there is much work to be done.
This week and next is time for the members to "work in the district" (aka recess), so staff is relaxed, often out on vacation, with a real sense of catching up. Today I explored back staircases of the Capitol, looking for the staircase to the top. Didn't find it (later learned that only a Member of the Sergeant of Arms is allowed to take you up) but did find the press briefing room that the president uses - it's surprisingly small.
I'm starting to review possible public health initiatives to suggest to the Senator to consider introducing. I'm leaning toward issues related to public health and violence prevention, public health and the built environment, and public health and energy policies. I need to review what's already been introduced in this session (110th Congress) to avoid duplication.
In addition, any bill sponsored by a current candidate is unlikely to "move" this year, at least until after the general election (which is understandable but unfortunate, as there are two bills in particular with Sens. Obama's and Clinton's name on them, including "Healthy Places" - S. 2506 and "Healthy Communities Act" - S. 2047). The Healthy Communities Act identifies and addresses problems in communities that are at high risk from environmental contaminants, and the Healthy Places Act addresses the role of housing, parks, trails, roadways, and public transportation to healthy lifestyles, assessing and supporting improvements to the built environment. The very same issues that I am interested in. Certainly constituents should write to their own Senators asking them to cosponsor these bills, and New Yorkers and Illinoisans can ask their candidates to move the bills as soon as possible.
APHA has an excellent primer on the Congressional budget process, far clearer than I can explain, and definitely worth visiting:
- http://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/E68C75BA-F173-4C48-BF96-6844FBAEB35A/0/budget_101.pdf
After attending a workshop on the budget reconciliation process, I also attended a session about researching legal resources. LOC (Library of Congress) offers staffers these wonderful seminars. Highlights from last week include:
Interesting info on Senate art and history (am I becoming a senate nerd already?) at:
- http://www.senate.gov/ (click on "art and history") which explain political cartoons, engravings, photos, paintings, sculpture, etc all here in the Capitol (senate side, of course!), with some very interesting tidbits under "people" if you've never visited this site before. Nobel Prize winners, indeed!
A good source for federal documents and resources is the General Printing Office (I remember writing to them decades ago for brochures), found at:
- http://www.gpoaccess.gov/. Look for the Code of Federal Regulations, info about the Supreme Court, the Federal Register, the U.S. Code, Congressional Record, conference reports, and all sorts of fun stuff we staffers use on the Hill for documentation and reference.
- http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ is another good source for the U.S. Code
Of course, http://thomas.loc.gov/ is familiar, and has lots of good info about Congress ("In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, legislative information from the Library of Congress.")
Other sites recommended included how a bill becomes a law:
- http://clerkkids.house.gov/laws
Finding actual laws online:
- http://www.law.cornell.edu, the Cornell law library for laws and the popular name table (since often laws in code are referred to only by title number)
- also on the thomas.gov homepage
Finding federal judicial cases and opinions:
- http://www.uscourts.gov
and information about how to find legal information:
- http://www.loc.gov/law/public/law.html
You can also find the briefings of the committees your elected officials sit on, how they voted, and of particular interest to the curious, the archive of the proceedings of the first Congresses at:
- http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lawhome.html
There's a different sense of security here than anywhere else I've worked. When I worked at the university, there was a sense of community and invincibility (that's certainly changed, clearly, with the recent wave of unpredictable campus violence). When I worked at the state department of health before that, it felt like working in any office building. Now working in a senate office building, I feel both safer (security screening for everyone who enters, police presence in- and outside the buildings) and at greater risk. We get email messages from security about which exits to avoid, when an intruder is in the area (in restricted airspace, for example), or when demonstrators are blocking a building exit.
Still, it's fun, and there's nothing else I'd rather be doing. And now, it's cherry blossom time!
Question of the week: who was the first female senator, in 1922?
This week and next is time for the members to "work in the district" (aka recess), so staff is relaxed, often out on vacation, with a real sense of catching up. Today I explored back staircases of the Capitol, looking for the staircase to the top. Didn't find it (later learned that only a Member of the Sergeant of Arms is allowed to take you up) but did find the press briefing room that the president uses - it's surprisingly small.
I'm starting to review possible public health initiatives to suggest to the Senator to consider introducing. I'm leaning toward issues related to public health and violence prevention, public health and the built environment, and public health and energy policies. I need to review what's already been introduced in this session (110th Congress) to avoid duplication.
In addition, any bill sponsored by a current candidate is unlikely to "move" this year, at least until after the general election (which is understandable but unfortunate, as there are two bills in particular with Sens. Obama's and Clinton's name on them, including "Healthy Places" - S. 2506 and "Healthy Communities Act" - S. 2047). The Healthy Communities Act identifies and addresses problems in communities that are at high risk from environmental contaminants, and the Healthy Places Act addresses the role of housing, parks, trails, roadways, and public transportation to healthy lifestyles, assessing and supporting improvements to the built environment. The very same issues that I am interested in. Certainly constituents should write to their own Senators asking them to cosponsor these bills, and New Yorkers and Illinoisans can ask their candidates to move the bills as soon as possible.
APHA has an excellent primer on the Congressional budget process, far clearer than I can explain, and definitely worth visiting:
- http://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/E68C75BA-F173-4C48-BF96-6844FBAEB35A/0/budget_101.pdf
After attending a workshop on the budget reconciliation process, I also attended a session about researching legal resources. LOC (Library of Congress) offers staffers these wonderful seminars. Highlights from last week include:
Interesting info on Senate art and history (am I becoming a senate nerd already?) at:
- http://www.senate.gov/ (click on "art and history") which explain political cartoons, engravings, photos, paintings, sculpture, etc all here in the Capitol (senate side, of course!), with some very interesting tidbits under "people" if you've never visited this site before. Nobel Prize winners, indeed!
A good source for federal documents and resources is the General Printing Office (I remember writing to them decades ago for brochures), found at:
- http://www.gpoaccess.gov/. Look for the Code of Federal Regulations, info about the Supreme Court, the Federal Register, the U.S. Code, Congressional Record, conference reports, and all sorts of fun stuff we staffers use on the Hill for documentation and reference.
- http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ is another good source for the U.S. Code
Of course, http://thomas.loc.gov/ is familiar, and has lots of good info about Congress ("In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, legislative information from the Library of Congress.")
Other sites recommended included how a bill becomes a law:
- http://clerkkids.house.gov/laws
Finding actual laws online:
- http://www.law.cornell.edu, the Cornell law library for laws and the popular name table (since often laws in code are referred to only by title number)
- also on the thomas.gov homepage
Finding federal judicial cases and opinions:
- http://www.uscourts.gov
and information about how to find legal information:
- http://www.loc.gov/law/public/law.html
You can also find the briefings of the committees your elected officials sit on, how they voted, and of particular interest to the curious, the archive of the proceedings of the first Congresses at:
- http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lawhome.html
There's a different sense of security here than anywhere else I've worked. When I worked at the university, there was a sense of community and invincibility (that's certainly changed, clearly, with the recent wave of unpredictable campus violence). When I worked at the state department of health before that, it felt like working in any office building. Now working in a senate office building, I feel both safer (security screening for everyone who enters, police presence in- and outside the buildings) and at greater risk. We get email messages from security about which exits to avoid, when an intruder is in the area (in restricted airspace, for example), or when demonstrators are blocking a building exit.
Still, it's fun, and there's nothing else I'd rather be doing. And now, it's cherry blossom time!
Question of the week: who was the first female senator, in 1922?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Budget Recovery
Wow, work, service and play. What a week!
Wednesday, we tracked the amendments being introduced on the floor (or behind the scenes, as it sometimes felt), 231 to be exact, checking the amendment sponsor, number, summary and intent, and certain particulars (like being offset by function 950, I'll explain another time…). It felt like keeping score at a baseball game, although the play was much faster, you couldn’t always hear the umpire, and you had a hard time keeping up with who was on the field at any one time. Wednesday eve we were in the office until 10:30pm.
Thursday was the “vote-arama,” when the amendments would be considered by the Senate. All 100 Senators were in attendance, even Senator Byrd, in a wheelchair recently out of the hospital, bless him. The majority of introduced amendments weren’t even voted on, others were accepted as a package (you try jotting down 36 4-digit numbers in 15 seconds as they were rattled off by the Budget Committee Chair at the podium while you watch through your (new!) tv at your desk). Other introduced amendments were voted on by voice vote and still others by roll call.
It got a bit dicey Thursday when not long into the voting, this transpired:
Amendment 4189: not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 50.
Motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote by which amendment 4189 was not agreed to: not agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51.
Motion to reconsider the vote by which amendment 4189 was not agreed to: agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 50 (That's when Vice President Cheney showed up to cast his vote - double take!).
Amendment 4189 (upon reconsideration) not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51.
Yikes! So did the amendment pass? [Nope]
You know it’s late when the email you just sent shows up in your sent box as “yesterday.” Voting finally ended about 2am (I guess that would be Friday). Who knew the Senate had such stamina?
It was exciting, exhausting, and stressful, as you didn’t want to make a mistake in the numbering, descriptions, or information from all the rest of the staff. I did fine, survived, and am glad it’s over!
This week and next the Senate is at work in the district (aka recess), so while work continues, staff is more relaxed in wardrobe and stress level. It’s catch-up time.
This past weekend was the 11th annual National Health Education Advocacy Summit, sponsored by the Coalition of National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO). I attended several Summits in the past, including the first one in 1998. I suspect I was bitten by the advocacy bug at the Summits. I was honored to be invited this year as their keynote, kick-off speaker on Saturday. To my surprise, they also awarded me the CNHEO Health Education Advocacy Achievement Award! What a privilege to be recognized this way, mostly for stepping outside my comfort zone running and holding elected office and for being selected for the APHA Congressional Fellowship.
It was fun to see my colleagues from the different health education associations, from Rutgers University, and from New Jersey, and to see the growth of the field as they return to the Hill to advocate for public health programs and funding. Go health ed! I'm so proud of them.
We New Jerseyans even had a great meal at Zaytinya, a Mediterranean restaurant with portions easy to share, and great bread. Loved the pomegranate seeds in my orange salad.
With the slightly warmer weather and longer daylight, some thoughts turn to baseball, but mine turn to bicycling! Friday I played hooky in the later afternoon, and headed out on my new bicycle tires. Filled them with air at the local bike shop, asked directions to the bike trail, and hit the road. Over the Key Bridge into Virginia, riding along the Potomac River (faster than the crew teams in the water, at least), passing the Pentagon, seeing the city skyline across the water, pedaling to the National airport. The planes take off right over your head!
Headed back across a different bridge, finding myself near the Tidal Basin (those cherry tree buds are out…), passing the Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Memorial (spectacular, if you’ve never seen it, btw), Vietnam Memorial (always stirring), FDR Memorial (fully accessible, and equally moving), Lincoln Memorial) and so on. To be there by bicycle was thrilling. What I remember most was the words etched in granite from FDR, about how a country is measured not by its affluence but by how well we take care of those who have the least: The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough for those who have little. I’m afraid we’re not doing a very good job right now.
Saturday - another day, another bike ride! This time out to Rock Creek Park path (after I accidentally turned onto the highway! Oops! Realizing my mistake, I took the shortest route out of there, which unfortunately, was the way I got there – but this time against traffic on the highway. Don’t tell my mom. Luckily there was only one car coming at me, at which I gestured wildly. I can only imagine what he must have been thinking of this sight!)
This trail was terrific, but also had the Potomac Runners Club on it, all 300 of them (or so it seemed). What a relief to finally get ahead of them, where I explored the park, the neighborhoods, and rode to the National Cathedral – wow! Sixth largest in the world, with magnificent stained glass windows, gargoyles, gardens, and more. Toured a bit, but will definitely have to come back with time to spare.
Returned via Georgetown to try that new cupcake place recently started by two sisters. My past attempts resulted in finding a long line, finding them having run out of cupcakes (twice), and finding them closed. This time – a line around the block! For cupcakes! I had to draw the line somewhere, and didn’t wait.
Sunday - more biking! Hurrah! Finding new trails and routes, historic homes and gardens, and just enjoying the day. Took a shortcut through the National Zoo, where they make you walk your bike. My rides have been uphill against the wind most of the way (hard on the knees), but seeing new neighborhoods and sights makes it a little easier. Some gorgeous architecture, flowering trees, and a demonstration against the Tibetan oppression. Also another long line out the door at the cupcake place.
Still no cupcakes for me.
Spring has sprung, and what fun to be in a warmer zone for gardening – flowers bloom sooner! The mulch is pungent (I love that smell), and I’m mentally pruning the neighborhood shrubs and perennials (I know…it’s a gardener’s dementia). Caught a wonderful show at the Kennedy Center (free, I love this town!), and am settling in to a week of recess. More time for training, catching up with chores and acquaintances.
Wednesday, we tracked the amendments being introduced on the floor (or behind the scenes, as it sometimes felt), 231 to be exact, checking the amendment sponsor, number, summary and intent, and certain particulars (like being offset by function 950, I'll explain another time…). It felt like keeping score at a baseball game, although the play was much faster, you couldn’t always hear the umpire, and you had a hard time keeping up with who was on the field at any one time. Wednesday eve we were in the office until 10:30pm.
Thursday was the “vote-arama,” when the amendments would be considered by the Senate. All 100 Senators were in attendance, even Senator Byrd, in a wheelchair recently out of the hospital, bless him. The majority of introduced amendments weren’t even voted on, others were accepted as a package (you try jotting down 36 4-digit numbers in 15 seconds as they were rattled off by the Budget Committee Chair at the podium while you watch through your (new!) tv at your desk). Other introduced amendments were voted on by voice vote and still others by roll call.
It got a bit dicey Thursday when not long into the voting, this transpired:
Amendment 4189: not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 50.
Motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote by which amendment 4189 was not agreed to: not agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51.
Motion to reconsider the vote by which amendment 4189 was not agreed to: agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 50 (That's when Vice President Cheney showed up to cast his vote - double take!).
Amendment 4189 (upon reconsideration) not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51.
Yikes! So did the amendment pass? [Nope]
You know it’s late when the email you just sent shows up in your sent box as “yesterday.” Voting finally ended about 2am (I guess that would be Friday). Who knew the Senate had such stamina?
It was exciting, exhausting, and stressful, as you didn’t want to make a mistake in the numbering, descriptions, or information from all the rest of the staff. I did fine, survived, and am glad it’s over!
This week and next the Senate is at work in the district (aka recess), so while work continues, staff is more relaxed in wardrobe and stress level. It’s catch-up time.
This past weekend was the 11th annual National Health Education Advocacy Summit, sponsored by the Coalition of National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO). I attended several Summits in the past, including the first one in 1998. I suspect I was bitten by the advocacy bug at the Summits. I was honored to be invited this year as their keynote, kick-off speaker on Saturday. To my surprise, they also awarded me the CNHEO Health Education Advocacy Achievement Award! What a privilege to be recognized this way, mostly for stepping outside my comfort zone running and holding elected office and for being selected for the APHA Congressional Fellowship.
It was fun to see my colleagues from the different health education associations, from Rutgers University, and from New Jersey, and to see the growth of the field as they return to the Hill to advocate for public health programs and funding. Go health ed! I'm so proud of them.
We New Jerseyans even had a great meal at Zaytinya, a Mediterranean restaurant with portions easy to share, and great bread. Loved the pomegranate seeds in my orange salad.
With the slightly warmer weather and longer daylight, some thoughts turn to baseball, but mine turn to bicycling! Friday I played hooky in the later afternoon, and headed out on my new bicycle tires. Filled them with air at the local bike shop, asked directions to the bike trail, and hit the road. Over the Key Bridge into Virginia, riding along the Potomac River (faster than the crew teams in the water, at least), passing the Pentagon, seeing the city skyline across the water, pedaling to the National airport. The planes take off right over your head!
Headed back across a different bridge, finding myself near the Tidal Basin (those cherry tree buds are out…), passing the Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Memorial (spectacular, if you’ve never seen it, btw), Vietnam Memorial (always stirring), FDR Memorial (fully accessible, and equally moving), Lincoln Memorial) and so on. To be there by bicycle was thrilling. What I remember most was the words etched in granite from FDR, about how a country is measured not by its affluence but by how well we take care of those who have the least: The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough for those who have little. I’m afraid we’re not doing a very good job right now.
Saturday - another day, another bike ride! This time out to Rock Creek Park path (after I accidentally turned onto the highway! Oops! Realizing my mistake, I took the shortest route out of there, which unfortunately, was the way I got there – but this time against traffic on the highway. Don’t tell my mom. Luckily there was only one car coming at me, at which I gestured wildly. I can only imagine what he must have been thinking of this sight!)
This trail was terrific, but also had the Potomac Runners Club on it, all 300 of them (or so it seemed). What a relief to finally get ahead of them, where I explored the park, the neighborhoods, and rode to the National Cathedral – wow! Sixth largest in the world, with magnificent stained glass windows, gargoyles, gardens, and more. Toured a bit, but will definitely have to come back with time to spare.
Returned via Georgetown to try that new cupcake place recently started by two sisters. My past attempts resulted in finding a long line, finding them having run out of cupcakes (twice), and finding them closed. This time – a line around the block! For cupcakes! I had to draw the line somewhere, and didn’t wait.
Sunday - more biking! Hurrah! Finding new trails and routes, historic homes and gardens, and just enjoying the day. Took a shortcut through the National Zoo, where they make you walk your bike. My rides have been uphill against the wind most of the way (hard on the knees), but seeing new neighborhoods and sights makes it a little easier. Some gorgeous architecture, flowering trees, and a demonstration against the Tibetan oppression. Also another long line out the door at the cupcake place.
Still no cupcakes for me.
Spring has sprung, and what fun to be in a warmer zone for gardening – flowers bloom sooner! The mulch is pungent (I love that smell), and I’m mentally pruning the neighborhood shrubs and perennials (I know…it’s a gardener’s dementia). Caught a wonderful show at the Kennedy Center (free, I love this town!), and am settling in to a week of recess. More time for training, catching up with chores and acquaintances.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Budget Babble Begins
The days are longer now, both in daylight and work schedule. It is day two of the introduction of the budget resolution on the Senate floor. Last week the Senate Budget Committee “marked up” the budget introduced by the majority party (the Democrats). Senator Conrad, chair, built the budget from scratch (called the Chairman's Mark), disregarding much of what was in the budget introduced by President Bush last month. Then committee ranking member Gregg (who had been chair for the years the Republicans were most recently the Senate majority party) found fault with all of the assumptions of the Chairman's Mark. And so on down the line with the rest of the committee members.
I heard support, grandstanding, spin, accusation, worst case assumptions, vagueness, bluster, sarcasm, repetition, much talking “at” each other, nit picking, hypothetical extremes, speech making and earnestness. And they weren’t even being televised yet! I kept track of the amendments offered in committee, some of which were even accepted, such as a pediatric dental initiative.
This week it’s all on C-SPAN, so much more of the same. And all of last week’s amendments which failed in committee will likely be introduced on the floor for consideration of the full Senate anyway. I’m still keeping track of introduced amendments, although rather than just 18 (introduced last week in committee), I’m expecting 50X as many. The Senators who introduce these amendments often solicit support in advance from colleagues (sent around by their staff as a “dear colleague” letter invitation, with a deadline).
Rather than have members vote on each amendment as they are introduced, the Senate will “stack” the votes – likely for this Thursday, called the “vote-arama.” Good thing, too, as most of the members are talking to a relatively empty chamber. There are committee meetings, hearings, briefings, caucus luncheons, and the usual Senate business all week, in addition to the budget being considered on the floor.
Committee and caucus staff are circulating emails galore with information countering the accusations of the opposing party, emails soliciting support for pending amendments, information with Q/A to help with constituent and media questions, and even advance copies of those fancy charts that you see being held up while a Senator has the floor.
I received a new television to put right on my desk in my office cubby, to watch the deliberations on the floor, in committee, or (as I’ve seen in other offices) Oprah. It does make it easier to work at the computer and listen for amendments being introduced at the same time. It’s also helpful to listen to my Senator giving testimony while I work, so I can better learn his positions and perspective as I represent him in constituent meetings.
Constituents continue to come, petitioning their government. Some groups are colored coded (the bright green students, the pink ladies, “wear red” day, etc.). I often meet with groups who want to talk about health issues, what bills or policies they want the Senator to introduce or co-sponsor, or just what their problems are that require a solution. My favorite “ask” was last week from a young boy with a health condition who wanted the Senator to work on a time machine.
Spring has sprung here in D.C. Daffodils are in bloom, the birds are chirping away, and the college students are in short sleeves. Many more cyclists commuting to work, too. I hope to soon, as well. The Senate office staff are even starting to think about softball. Apparently it’s a big thing for the staff on the hill.
Question: why are the Senate female staffers disproportionately blond? I couldn’t help but notice.
I heard support, grandstanding, spin, accusation, worst case assumptions, vagueness, bluster, sarcasm, repetition, much talking “at” each other, nit picking, hypothetical extremes, speech making and earnestness. And they weren’t even being televised yet! I kept track of the amendments offered in committee, some of which were even accepted, such as a pediatric dental initiative.
This week it’s all on C-SPAN, so much more of the same. And all of last week’s amendments which failed in committee will likely be introduced on the floor for consideration of the full Senate anyway. I’m still keeping track of introduced amendments, although rather than just 18 (introduced last week in committee), I’m expecting 50X as many. The Senators who introduce these amendments often solicit support in advance from colleagues (sent around by their staff as a “dear colleague” letter invitation, with a deadline).
Rather than have members vote on each amendment as they are introduced, the Senate will “stack” the votes – likely for this Thursday, called the “vote-arama.” Good thing, too, as most of the members are talking to a relatively empty chamber. There are committee meetings, hearings, briefings, caucus luncheons, and the usual Senate business all week, in addition to the budget being considered on the floor.
Committee and caucus staff are circulating emails galore with information countering the accusations of the opposing party, emails soliciting support for pending amendments, information with Q/A to help with constituent and media questions, and even advance copies of those fancy charts that you see being held up while a Senator has the floor.
I received a new television to put right on my desk in my office cubby, to watch the deliberations on the floor, in committee, or (as I’ve seen in other offices) Oprah. It does make it easier to work at the computer and listen for amendments being introduced at the same time. It’s also helpful to listen to my Senator giving testimony while I work, so I can better learn his positions and perspective as I represent him in constituent meetings.
Constituents continue to come, petitioning their government. Some groups are colored coded (the bright green students, the pink ladies, “wear red” day, etc.). I often meet with groups who want to talk about health issues, what bills or policies they want the Senator to introduce or co-sponsor, or just what their problems are that require a solution. My favorite “ask” was last week from a young boy with a health condition who wanted the Senator to work on a time machine.
Spring has sprung here in D.C. Daffodils are in bloom, the birds are chirping away, and the college students are in short sleeves. Many more cyclists commuting to work, too. I hope to soon, as well. The Senate office staff are even starting to think about softball. Apparently it’s a big thing for the staff on the hill.
Question: why are the Senate female staffers disproportionately blond? I couldn’t help but notice.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
March Already?
The days are getting longer, both in sunlight and in work. The Senate has been is session all week, debating bills on the floor, such as S.1200, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2007. I followed the debate, tracked the amendments to the bill as they were introduced and voted on, and tallied the final votes on all amendments heard. This way, the office has a record of the outcomes and votes. All of the clocks in Senate offices were marking time for the start and end to voting, with a series of bells and lights. How the senators make it from their offices to the Capitol to vote in just three minutes is the mark of experience (I’d be a Nrvous Nelly not to get there on time). They get 15 minutes to vote, but they seem to wait a bit before getting there.
I learned that I could walk through the tunnels and along that little subway track line from Hart to the Capitol for a briefing in under 15 minutes myself, that is, if I avoid those frequent wrong turns). Last week’s hearing was by the Association of Schools of Public Health, bringing to our attention the need for preparing an additional 250,000 public health workers into the workforce by 2020. It was well attended, plus I saw my former public health biostats professor from 1977!
The HELP committee (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) reconvened its 2/14/08 committee meeting (postponed for two weeks after losing its quorum for discussion) and released two of its 6 bills from committee, after partisan discussion. The majority of the members were absent from the committee meeting (other committees meet at the same time, and sometimes even the Senate is on the floor during this same time). Absent members seem to give their proxy to either the Chair (Senator Kennedy, D-MA) or the ranking member (minority Senate member with greatest seniority on committee, in this committee, Senator Enzi (R-WY), so voting on the bills and amendments was able to occur.
All committees were meeting, having hearings, introducing and releasing bills, and doing other business of the Chamber. In our office, we prepared information for the Senator to send a letter of concern about the lack of FDA inspections of foreign drug manufacturing plants and products. Culling information from Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports, GAO (Government Accountability Office) reports, CBO (Congressional Budget Office) reports, past Senate hearings, and even from the FDA itself helped us substantiate his concern. On another matter, and after much research, coalition building, and gaining support from many other Senate offices, the Senator felt there was enough evidence to call on Interior Secretary Kempthorne to “find” for an endangered species ruling for the rufa (the red knot shorebird). Watching that process was fascinating – much hard work, short time frame, identifying experts, extracting the most current and reliable data, gaining allies in the Senate and across the country – very impressive.
Lesson: if a Congressional office calls you, CALL BACK. It’s like responding to the media – ASAP. Our deadlines are often measured in hours, so your calling us back with the information you likely have (on your experience, data you’ve collected, etc) really advances the process.
While the Senate Budget Committee is assembling the budget to mark up this week, I’ve meet with 10+ constituent groups every day, learning about the needs, problems and concerns of either individuals, nonprofit groups and coalitions, or private small business or larger corporations. Many of these folks come every year, often with multi-year requests and projects. It’s a fascinating way to learn about what’s going on in the state. My favorite “ask” was from a young boy, who asked for a time machine.
Not as much time to explore the city, but I did catch the Pink Martini concert with the NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) at the Kennedy Center – one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to – great music, great singing, and much joy. And I’m learning that I can get to the fabulous fish store in Georgetown before 7pm, and the Dupont Circle farmer’s market on Sunday mornings before 1pm, even though it gets crowded by 10am (when they open!). Carrots never tasted better. It’s impossible now to get to the Kennedy Center Millennium stage for their free 6pm concerts. No wonder Congressional staff looks forward to when the Chambers are not in session.
I’ve also learned to carry money in my coat pocket, since you often see homeless people asking for money for food. I’ve gotten the hang of adding money to my laundry card and my Metro Smartcard (after several struggles), and am used to taking the blue line to the Capitol South Metro exit and walking up to Hart (the Senate Office Building with my office, aka cubicle). I’m not counting last Thursday morning, when engrossed in the newspaper, I noticed everyone else getting off. I joined them, only to find myself one stop short. (Oops.) I headed in the direction of the U.S. Botanic Gardens (which I knew was next to the Capitol, and I could find my way from there) and lo and behold! What should I pass but none other than the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services? Not necessarily your routine tourist stop, but it’s good to know where it is, right?
Question: does it mean the same thing when the Metro lights blink red or yellow when a train enters the station?
I learned that I could walk through the tunnels and along that little subway track line from Hart to the Capitol for a briefing in under 15 minutes myself, that is, if I avoid those frequent wrong turns). Last week’s hearing was by the Association of Schools of Public Health, bringing to our attention the need for preparing an additional 250,000 public health workers into the workforce by 2020. It was well attended, plus I saw my former public health biostats professor from 1977!
The HELP committee (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) reconvened its 2/14/08 committee meeting (postponed for two weeks after losing its quorum for discussion) and released two of its 6 bills from committee, after partisan discussion. The majority of the members were absent from the committee meeting (other committees meet at the same time, and sometimes even the Senate is on the floor during this same time). Absent members seem to give their proxy to either the Chair (Senator Kennedy, D-MA) or the ranking member (minority Senate member with greatest seniority on committee, in this committee, Senator Enzi (R-WY), so voting on the bills and amendments was able to occur.
All committees were meeting, having hearings, introducing and releasing bills, and doing other business of the Chamber. In our office, we prepared information for the Senator to send a letter of concern about the lack of FDA inspections of foreign drug manufacturing plants and products. Culling information from Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports, GAO (Government Accountability Office) reports, CBO (Congressional Budget Office) reports, past Senate hearings, and even from the FDA itself helped us substantiate his concern. On another matter, and after much research, coalition building, and gaining support from many other Senate offices, the Senator felt there was enough evidence to call on Interior Secretary Kempthorne to “find” for an endangered species ruling for the rufa (the red knot shorebird). Watching that process was fascinating – much hard work, short time frame, identifying experts, extracting the most current and reliable data, gaining allies in the Senate and across the country – very impressive.
Lesson: if a Congressional office calls you, CALL BACK. It’s like responding to the media – ASAP. Our deadlines are often measured in hours, so your calling us back with the information you likely have (on your experience, data you’ve collected, etc) really advances the process.
While the Senate Budget Committee is assembling the budget to mark up this week, I’ve meet with 10+ constituent groups every day, learning about the needs, problems and concerns of either individuals, nonprofit groups and coalitions, or private small business or larger corporations. Many of these folks come every year, often with multi-year requests and projects. It’s a fascinating way to learn about what’s going on in the state. My favorite “ask” was from a young boy, who asked for a time machine.
Not as much time to explore the city, but I did catch the Pink Martini concert with the NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) at the Kennedy Center – one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to – great music, great singing, and much joy. And I’m learning that I can get to the fabulous fish store in Georgetown before 7pm, and the Dupont Circle farmer’s market on Sunday mornings before 1pm, even though it gets crowded by 10am (when they open!). Carrots never tasted better. It’s impossible now to get to the Kennedy Center Millennium stage for their free 6pm concerts. No wonder Congressional staff looks forward to when the Chambers are not in session.
I’ve also learned to carry money in my coat pocket, since you often see homeless people asking for money for food. I’ve gotten the hang of adding money to my laundry card and my Metro Smartcard (after several struggles), and am used to taking the blue line to the Capitol South Metro exit and walking up to Hart (the Senate Office Building with my office, aka cubicle). I’m not counting last Thursday morning, when engrossed in the newspaper, I noticed everyone else getting off. I joined them, only to find myself one stop short. (Oops.) I headed in the direction of the U.S. Botanic Gardens (which I knew was next to the Capitol, and I could find my way from there) and lo and behold! What should I pass but none other than the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services? Not necessarily your routine tourist stop, but it’s good to know where it is, right?
Question: does it mean the same thing when the Metro lights blink red or yellow when a train enters the station?
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