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Capitol Hill Workshop

The 104th Congress - Archive Edition

November 29-December 1, 1995

The Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Defense Agencies Present
The 1995/1996 Public Policy Seminar Series
Capitol Hill Workshop
The 104th Congress and the Emerging Election Year Agenda
Held at The Capitol Hill Club.

 

The political revolution now known as the 104th Congress has been in full flight for one legislative year. This Congress, with its dramatically different make-up and membership, is serving as the ultimate test of the translation of Republican ideas into public policy. It is a fascinating and tumultuous period, vital to America's future and its social fabric. An extraordinary Congressional confrontation between liberals and conservatives with moderates as potential swing votes has developed.

The majority Republicans, in the leadership after 40 years, are bent on restoring a smaller, less costly, laissez-faire form of federal government with fewer taxes, benefits, regulations, and social programs. Downsizing government is in vogue; pensions, perks and COLAs, and a dramatic restructuring of American medical coverage is in the works. The Democrats, stunned by electoral defeat and Republican power, are desperately trying to blunt this legislative attack.

With the 1996 election a year away, not only will the Republicans try to unseat President Clinton, but they will also try to build their numerical leadership in the House and Senate. This may not be as easy as Republican planners thought in 1995. The effect of the first-round Republican budget cuts to eliminate the national deficit by the year 2002 are beginning to register with the voters, and the feedback is mixed. "Not in my district or state" seems to be a fair assessment of initial reaction. This electoral volatility worries the Republicans and encourages the Democrats. The people want change, want no new taxes, and don't want their benefits or pensions touched.

This behind-the-scenes program will assess vital problems and unanswered questions. Will the Democrats succeed in making the "Contract with America become to the public a "Contract on America" when electoral rhetoric and Congressional legislative floor action can meet in full combat in prime-time living color? Can the Republicans successfully trim fat and leave muscle? Can the Democrats successfully plant the bad-guy, robber-baron tag on the Republicans? What role will lobbyists, advocacy groups, special constituency interests, and the ever-present media play in this struggle? Will Congress be able to re-establish a viable legislative program to restore credibility with a majority of Americans, or will promised legislative accomplishment degenerate into perennial gridlock? The ultimate question is: What will be the consequences to the American military of a Republican-mandated legislative effort which is both pro-defense and anti-deficit?

The Capitol Hill Workshop will offer senior federal managers and executives a timely, in-depth look at how this struggle will play out in congress, how Congress sets its agenda, and how Congress is attempting to seize control of America's foreign and domestic agendas on the eve of a crucial century-ending election. Through a series of fourteen separate presentations during this three-day seminar, attendees will be offered the opportunity to understand the Congress, the changed balance of power in Washington and the implications to the Department of Defense. They will be offered the opportunity to think, plan, and organize more effectively for their changing and newly adapting roles and responsibilities as key federal managers in the critical near term.

 

Speakers & Topics

A Perspective on the 104th Congress: Walter Oleszek, Senior Specialist in American Government, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Author of Congress and Its Members

The Art of Lobbying Congress: Tom Korologos, President, Timmons and Company; Lobbyist for Major League Baseball, Chrysler Corporation, Union Pacific, and the National Rifle Association

The Legislative Process: How a Bill Does Not Become a Law: Paul Rundquist, Specialist in American National Government, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

Congress and Money: The Deficit, Taxes, and the Budget as the Elections Approach: Allen Schick, visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution; Professor of Public Policy, University of Maryland; Author of Congress and Money

Consumerism and U.S. Public Policy: Ralph Nader, Consumer Advocate; Author of Unsafe at Any Speed

The Angry American Female: Cleta Deatherage Mitchell, Director and General Counsel, Americans Back in Charge Foundation; Former Chair of the Fiscal Affairs and Oversight Committee; National Conference of State Legislatures

The Russian Military in the 21st Century: Paul Goble, Assistant Director for Broadcasting, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Former Special Advisor on Soviet Nationality Problems and Baltic Affairs, U.S. Department of State

What We Can Expect in the 1996-97 Budget: How Much is New? Lawrence J. Korb, Director, Center for Public Policy Education, Brookings Institution; Former Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Reagan

A Liberal Perspective on the Current Congressional Agenda: Richard Cohen, Syndicated Columnist, Washington Post

A Conservative Perspective on the Current Congressional Agenda: William Pascoe, Legislative Director, American Conservative Union; Columnist, The Washington Times

The 104th Congress and the New National Security Priorities: Intelligence Issues and Partisan Politics: Mark Lowenthal, Staff Director, House Intelligence Committee; Author of Leadership and Indecision: American War Planning and Policy Process, 1937-1942

The Globalization of Economic Life: American Institutions at Risk: Jack Blum, Attorney and Partner; Lobel, Novins, Lamont and Flug; Former Special Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Congress and Domestic Policy: From Welfare to Medicare-Whither It Goest? Norman Ornstein, Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins University; Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute; Frequent Political Commentator on the MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour

Politics, Politicians, and the Media: Eleanor Clift, Contributing Editor, Newsweek Magazine; Panelist, The McLaughlin Group