Capitol Hill Workshop

The Changing Political Landscape and U.S. National Interests

September 9-11, 2014

 

How will Congress respond to and finance the assortment of domestic and overseas challenges? What will the budgetary impact be on federal agencies? Will Congress and the Administration work together to move the country forward?

One year into Obama's second term, much of President's legislative agenda is subject to bitter controversy ? both in the Congress and the nation as a whole. With the 2014 Congressional elections in view, there is a temptation to seek partisan advantage rather than concrete agreements on taxes, spending, immigration, entitlement reform, defense, and a host of other issues.

While the economy demands serious attention, rapidly changing global events will affect all aspects of U.S. policy making. Complicated diplomatic, strategic, and economic challenges illustrate the difficulties facing elected officials at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Giving the global economic recovery steam, managing the geopolitical claims of China and Russia, responding to the transformations sweeping the Middle East ? these and other issues may make cooperation within Congress and between Congress and President even more difficult.

Attendees at The Capitol Hill Workshop will have the opportunity to discuss a number of current and critical issues, in an off-the-record setting, with a group of nationally recognized speakers experienced in all aspects of the national policymaking process.

 

SEMINAR TOPICS*

• The Evolution of Power in Congress: The Dynamics of Lawmaking
• The 113th Congress and the Economy: The Politics of Redistribution and Growth
• American Politics and the Role of Third Parties
• Working with Congress: The Legislative Presidency
• Power, Money and Partisanship: An Historical Overview of How Washington Really Works
• National Security Strategy, Acquisition, and the New Fiscal Issues: Reconciling Campaign Promises with Current Realities
• Issues Facing the Supreme Court in the Current Term
• Border Security and the Politics of Immigration
• Congressional Leadership and National Interests: A Member's Perspective
• Providing for Common Defense: The Role of the Senate Armed Services Committee
• Leadership and the Balance of Power
• Capitalism vs. Socialism in the 21st Century: The Continuing Clash of Ideas
• Congress and American Foreign Policy: Europe and NATO
• Congress and American Foreign Policy: Russia and Central Asia
• Congress and American Foreign Policy: Middle East
• Congress and American Foreign Policy: China and East Asia
• Congress and American Foreign Policy: South Asia
• On the Verge of an Energy Boom: Will Congress Be Revolutionary or Reactionary?
• National Defense Budgets in an Age of Austerity: Spending and the Debt Limit
• Lobbying Congress: Money and Politics

*NOTE: The above list highlights topics presented in previous Alan L. Freed Associates Capitol Hill Workshops.

Subject to scheduling availability, the Capitol Hill Workshop may include informal tours of Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress.

 

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

After participating in the Capitol Hill Workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key decision makers who are involved in the policy-making and policy implementation processes and the institutional perspectives from which they offer advice and make judgments;
2. Think strategically and tactically about how to affect policy-making and policy implementation, how to anticipate reactions to that policy in the United States and abroad, and how to avoid unintended consequences that flow from poor policy judgments;
3. Improve cultural and historic awareness of the political, legal, and institutional environment in which domestic and foreign policy-making and policy implementation occur;
4. Enhance critical synthetic and analytical skills necessary to advise senior officials in the making and evaluation of public policy;
5. Be sensitized to the changing situational conditions that affect past, current, and future policy judgments.

 

PROGRAM MODERATORS

A highly qualified Program Moderator will facilitate dialogue between the speakers and participants over the course of the three-day seminar. View moderator biographies.

 

FEE

The fee for the workshop is $1,485 per person. The program will feature approximately 12-15 separate presentations. Also included are daily continental breakfast and working luncheon. The workshop will be held in a private meeting room at the Capitol Hill Club. An on-site staff person will assist participants as needed and coordinate daily activities. (Please check Registration Page for fees for two-day Capitol Hill Workshops in Aberdeen, MD and Dayton/Fairborn, OH).

 

REGISTRATION

The target audience for these workshops are civilians (GS-13 and above) and military O-4 and above). Others who have a special interest in the subject, need-to-know, or are in key positions may apply. Workshop space is limited to assure participants ample time for open discussion with presenters. Upon registration, attendees will receive confirmation via email. Cancellations will be accepted in writing up to two weeks prior to each program. After that time, substitutions will be accepted. The Agency will be billed if registration is cancelled after the deadline.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call Iris Fernandez or Patricia Patton at 703-684-8807.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Capitol Hill Workshops will be held in private meeting rooms at the Capitol Hill Club, located at 300 First Street, SE, in Washington, DC. The Club is directly across the street from the Capitol South Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines). Business attire for participants is required. Military uniform is optional.

Reporting information concerning registration time and meeting room assignment will be sent to all participants approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of each program. The meeting room will open at 7:45 am and seminars will be conducted from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

These programs are informal and strictly "off-the-record." No video, power point or audio-visual aids are utilized in seminar presentations.

 

Register Today