Surviving Inside Congress

Congressional staff are the unseen, unheard workers that make much of the legislative process possible. Despite their dedication and natural talents, few experiences can prepare them for life on the Hill. Surviving Inside Congress, however, arms staff with critical information and insights to help them advance their careers in Washington. It also provides Members of Congress, government-relations professionals, students and private citizens with new insights into America s legislature.

Surviving Inside Congress has also been revised and expanded to reflect important political developments that occurred during the 113th Congress (2013-2014). The fourth edition, with about 70 additional pages of new material, discusses: Who s who How a bill becomes a law The committee system The Federal budget process Communications with constituents and the media Partisanship, polarization, and civility And many other topics essential for a successful career serving Congress

Learn how to thrive in Washington with Surviving Inside Congress.

Mark N. Strand has been the president of the Congressional Institute since 2007 and is an adjunct professor of legislative affairs in the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University. Strand spent nearly 24 years on Capitol Hill, most recently as chief of staff to Senator James M. Talent of Missouri (2003-07). From 2001-2002, Strand was vice president of government affairs for the American Water Works Company the largest publicly held water utility in the United States. Prior to that, Strand served as staff director of the House Committee on Small Business when Talent was chairman. He has served as chief of staff to Talent, Bill Lowery of California and Stan Parris of Virginia. He has also been a legislative director and a press secretary. Strand obtained a B.S. in political science and history from Excelsior College of the University of New York, an M.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Phoenix in 2003, and a master s in legislative affairs from George Washington University. He completed the Stennis Congressional Fellowship in 2000. He frequently speaks to groups about congressional procedure, Hill staff, and more generally about how Congress works (or doesn t, as the case may be). He resides in Virginia with his wife Susan, and has three daughters.

Michael S. Johnson served 14 years in the executive and legislative branches of government, first on the White House communications staff of President Gerald R. Ford. He served as press secretary and later as chief of staff for former House Republican Leader Bob Michel of Illinois. Johnson entered the private sector in 1990, as a lobbyist with Texas and Ohio law firms. He served for five years as a senior vice president of APCO Worldwide, an international public affairs firm, before joining the OB-C Group in 2001. Johnson has served on the staff of every Republican National Convention from 1980-2008, has taught policy and public affairs, and continues to serve as a political and communications advisor. He is co-founder of the Congressional Institute, has served as its chairman and continues to serve on the board of directors. He writes periodic columns for the newgopforum.com. A native of Illinois who was reared and educated in South Dakota, Johnson began his career in journalism as a reporter and eventually executive editor of a small Illinois daily newspaper. He is married to Thalia Assuras and has five children.

Jerome F. (Jerry) Climer arrived on Capitol Hill in 1967 and served for two years as the legislative staff (offices had fewer personnel back then) to a freshman Member of the U.S. House, who managed to stay in office for 28 years. After a few years in the executive branch, he returned to the House as a chief legislative assistant and then for six years as chief of staff to former Congressman Ed Bethune (R-AR). His final five official years on Capitol Hill were served as leadership staff assistant to the late Congressman Guy Vander Jagt (R-MI). Climer co-founded the Congressional Institute, which he served as president for 20 years. After retiring in 2007 and relocating to North Carolina, he continues to serve as president of the Public Governance Institute, a 501 (c)(3) organization and heads Policy Implementation Consultants, LLC, a private consulting endeavor. He is secretary of Edenton Chowan Partnership, Inc., a public/private not-for-profit focused on economic development.