Obtaining Federal funding through Congressonal Appropriations is a yearlong process. The C. L. A. Group helps clients get the funding they need from Congress. Here is our calander which we give to clients.
The C. L. A. Group’s Appropriation Work Schedule
We have prepared for you an overview of the year-long congressional process; an outline of work The C. L. A. Group will do as your staff in Washington as it relates to securing funding for your organization; and important milestones in the process.
December – January: Based on the funding priorities determined by you and in partnership with The C. L. A. Group, potential projects are analyzed and a comprehensive strategy is developed to pursue significant federal funding from the Congress.
December – April: Identify approach and secure letters of support for your projects from prominent third-party allies. We help identify potential supporters and draft letters. These letters are utilized as strategic documents and are hand delivered to the congressional offices throughout the year.
January: We develop a compelling prospectus with a focused executive summary, one-page project descriptions, legislative precedents, letters from supporters, news articles, and other necessary information to market your organization effectively on Capitol Hill. The prospectus is presented in the first meeting and given to the Member and/or staff.
January: We develop a client briefing book that prepares you for meetings on Capitol Hill. The briefing book, which will be sent to you in advance, includes a schedule of meetings, talking points, congressional biographies, dos and don’ts, and project information.
January: After the President’s State of the Union address, the first congressional legislative session of the year begins.
January: We draft and deliver to the House Appropriations Committee a letter to request a time for your organization to testify before the Committee, which relates directly to the funding requests and provides an opportunity to bring your organization’s needs and reputation to the attention of the Congress.
February: The Executive Branch sends to the Congress (Budget Committee) the President’s proposed spending plan for the fiscal year.
February – March: Selected organization leaders and The C. L. A. Group team meet with the appropriate Members of Congress and/or their key staff on Capitol Hill. We draft and deliver the meeting request letters and arrange for and participate in all of the congressional meetings. In the meetings, we request the Member’s active support of the project and make a compelling case to justify making it a priority. Shortly after the meeting, we follow up with “Member-to-Subcommittee Chairman” letters and/or the completed “appropriations request form.” This begins the formal funding request process. We also follow up with ‘thank you’ letters to those with whom we met.
February: Congress normally takes a week of recess during the observance of Presidents’ Day. This break presents an opportunity for Members and/or staff to visit your organization and be briefed further on your funding requests.
February – April: House and Senate Appropriations Committees hold “budget justification hearings” for most Executive Branch agencies and departments. During this time, certain subcommittees allow for public testimony for those organizations that have submitted a request to testify in advance. We draft the testimony and prepare the witness with practice readings and questions.
February – May: Deadlines for submitting appropriations requests with congressional offices. While the deadlines may be arbitrary, if the deadlines are not met, it is unlikely that a project will receive consideration for funding. We meet these deadlines by filling out all the necessary documentation and submitting them on time.
March – May: Congressional staffs begin prioritizing selected projects for funding in each of the appropriations bills. A priority list is created within these offices. It is extremely important that your project is on the priority list. We intensify our follow up with Members and staff during this period in an effort to ensure that your organization’s project is on the priority list for funding.
March – May: Deadlines for submitting appropriations request forms to appropriations subcommittees by congressional offices. As your staff in Washington, and as “staff to the congressional staff,” we complete the required subcommittee forms for the appropriate congressional offices so that they may be filled out accurately and expediently.
April: Congress recesses for Easter. Members and key staff return to work in their districts, which presents an opportunity to invite them to meet in their districts, or travel together to tour your organization.
April – June: The Appropriations Committee determines budget allocations for each of the appropriations subcommittees. Each subcommittee determines how much funding will be dedicated to the agency, department, programs and discretionary accounts. Higher discretionary funding may mean more funding for earmarks.
April – September: We help you identify some prominent supporters, who may have relationships with key Members of Congress, to make phone calls to these Members and staff on behalf of your organization. We provide the talking points and all the necessary information for the call. It is important that the supporter reports back about what was discussed in the call. This information could help adjust or determine strategies.
June – September: Each of the appropriations subcommittees must meet to amend and approve their respective piece of legislation (e.g., bill and report). This is known as a “markup.” The markup may last for several days or just hours. Earmarked projects may be included in this subcommittee legislation. We attend these markups and work with the staff to encourage them to include your project in legislation.
June – October: After an appropriations subcommittee approves its bill, it is then considered by the full Appropriations Committee. When the bill is approved by the full Committee, it is submitted to the Senate and/or House floor to be approved by a vote.
July – October: “Timing is everything.” During this period, your organization’s leaders return to Capitol Hill for a second round and sometimes, third round of meetings. This is largely dependant on feedback from the congressional offices that are championing your project. We prepare all the “leave behind” materials, talking points, requested follow-up information and ‘thank you’ letters after our meetings.
July – October: The House and Senate debate on the floor their respective versions of each of the appropriations bills. Each chamber must pass by a vote their respective versions of the appropriations legislation. The C. L. A. Group continues to work with congressional offices to support your projects as we monitor legislation, adjust strategies, determine timing, anticipate movement in the process, and collect and analyze intel.
July – November (sometimes as late as December or January): House and Senate appropriations subcommittees meet in a conference committee to work out any remaining differences between the two versions of each of the bills. Once they have agreed on a compromise version, the House and the Senate pass that version in what is called a “conference report.” It is then sent to the President for his signature or veto. Since most projects tend to be included during this time, we will know for sure if your project(s) is in line for funding.
August: During the entire month of August the Congress is in recess. Members and staff travel to their states and districts to work, vacation, and campaign in election years, as 2006 is. This is an excellent time to invite Members and staff to visit you. We invite and encourage them to do so, and we make every effort to accompany them to visit your organization.
September 30: Last day of the federal government’s fiscal year.
November: The first Tuesday in November is Election Day. Members, staff and the political community become intensely focused on campaigning during election years beginning in July.
November – January: If you are successful in securing significant federal funding in the congressional appropriations process, approximately 30 to 60 days after the bill has become law, a procedural application will be sent to you by the respective agency. You must complete the application in the time allotted, then submit it to the agency, or you risk forfeiting your funding. The agency reviews the application, and works with you on any revisions or additional information. The agency is obligated to assist you since by law, funding has been guaranteed to your organization. After your application is submitted, it should take approximately 60 days to begin drawing down your funding. We work with you and the agency to make sure the funding is drawn down in a timely manner. If there are unacceptable delays, we will engage the agency, and if necessary, your congressional champion(s) to advance the process.
November – January: As your staff in Washington, it is strongly encouraged that a senior The C. L. A. Group team member(s) make an annual visit to your organization (usually at the end of the year) to continue the process of familiarizing ourselves with your organization, meet with you and your key staff, and strategize with you about subsequent funding requests. This is a mutually beneficial activity and vital to the overall process. The C. L. A. Group team members will also make themselves available for council presentations, and if requested in advance, provide a summary of our work together.
