Working With Congress

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James braid

Former Political Appointee, Legislative Affairs, Office of Management & Budget - Currently serves as the legislative director for JD Vance

James Braid serves as Deputy to the Associate Director for Legislative Affairs and White House Liaison at the Office of Management and Budget.

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hugh fike

Former Political Appointee, Legislative Affairs, Office of Management & Budget

Before OMB, Fike spent nearly four years on the Hill, most recently with Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) as his Legislative Director.

Legislative Affairs 101

  • The role of executive branch legislative affairs is to influence the operation of the “machine” that is Capitol Hill and to ensure the President’\s agenda is considered as favorably as possible. 
  • Three marching orders for executive branch legislative affairs:
  1. Develop staff relationships
  2. Develop principal relationships 
  3. Know the members’ issues

Staff Relationships

  • Know what House and Senate committees have direct legislative jurisdiction over your agency’s policy areas.
    • Make a list!
  • Take the time to set up introductory meetings with committee staff and personal office staff
    • During these meetings, make sure you have their correct contact information, especially a phone number. 
  • Maintain your records! Keep a record of what you have done for a member, the different asks they have, etc. 
    • This will serve as the basis for building a legislative strategy

Principal relationships: Congressional Testimony & Hearings

  • If you have an adversarial congress, you can almost guarantee your boss will be brought before a Congressional committee
  • Prior to a hearing or testimony, meet with members and staff to:
    • Suggest questions for committee members to ask your principal that highlight the work of the member and the agency/administration.
    • Prepare for more difficult questions that might be tougher to navigate
    • Ensure members will be present. It is extremely important to have members on your side to give your principal a break from hostile questioning
  • Principal to principal meetings also serve as an opportunity to highlight how the agency’s work directly affects the member’s constituency

Know the Member’s Issues

  • In legislative affairs, you are trying to find a champion to not only support the administration’s priorities when the decision is in front of them, but to proactively advocate and advance those priorities
  • Have a running list of major priorities for each member. Resources to use:
    • congress.gov (especially the media tab). 
    • The latest version of “The Almanac of American Politics.”
    • All press releases from the member’s office
    • The member’s weekly or monthly newsletter
  • Find a way to highlight how the agency’s work is directly affecting the member’s constituency