What is Legislative Affairs?
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
(ASD) is responsible directly to the Secretary of Defense
for maintaining liaison and relationships with members of
Congress and the Executive Branch. In carrying out these
responsibilities, the ASD heads a staff of managers, action
officers, and support personnel, who manage, control,
direct and monitor communications and activities
involving Congress and elements of the Department of
Defense (DOD), including the Office of the Secretary of
Defense (DOD), Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the Armed
Services, and Defense Agencies.
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OSD Legislative Affairs
• Sets Legislative Policy
• Develops Strategy
• Provides Advice
• Provides Consent to Engage Congress
• Prepares Nominees
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Why is it Important?
• Provides continuity across the Department
– Sometimes LA is the only shop that has the “whole picture.”
• SecDef/Deputy position is often sensitive, or evolving. LA
will have the insight.
• Provides a consistent message to, and before, Congress.
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Why is Congress Important?
• Article I of the Constitution provides:
– Congress shall have the power to raise and support Armies; To
provide and maintain a Navy; To make rules for the Government
and Regulation of land and naval forces.
• Provides annual Authorization and Appropriation for DOD
– $401.7 Billion FY05
– 388 Legislative Proposals
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Congressional Overview
Republican
Democrat
51
228
48
205
Senate:
House:
Women Serving:
Women Serving
Senate 14
House 62
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Congressional Cycle
• Budget sent to the Hill February 2
• Budget Resolution completed by March 15
• Authorization markup completed in May
• Appropriations markup completed in June
• Conferences done by September
• Bills signed by October 1
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Hearings
• Begin with SecDef and Comptroller in February
– High Season – March/April/May
• 138 Hearings in the House in 2003
• LA office provides prep, background data, hearing
questions, follow-up, interface with members.
• You are responsible for clearing your statement, and
ensuring proper policy is followed.
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Primary Committees of Jurisdiction
• Senate Armed Services Committee
– John Warner, Chairman
– Carl Levin, Ranking
• House Armed Services Committee
– Duncan Hunter, Chairman
– Ike Skelton, Ranking
• Senate Appropriations, Defense Subcommittee
– Ted Stevens, Chairman
– Daniel Inouye, Ranking
• House Appropriations, Defense Subcommittee
– Jerry Lewis, Chairman
– John Murtha, Ranking
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FY05 Legislative Priorities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Train and Equip
Average Strength
Organizational Changes to Service Academies
Range Readiness Preservation Initiatives
Missile Defense Agency Funding
1.
2.
3.
Protect
BRAC
Marine Mammal Protection Act
National Security Personnel System
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Legislative Liaison Ground Truths
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Democracy is a contact sport…
All politics are local…
You’ll never know what you don’t know…
Everything is connected to something…
It’s never over ‘till it’s over…
Never take it personally…even when it’s meant
that way…
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