The first installment
(to get) into the weeds. prep.
1. To get off topic in a conversation.
2. To discuss specific policy details.
I don’t know if we want to get into the weeds of HCPs on this particular call.
radar screen. n. One’s purview, sphere of influence, realm of awareness. Especially used by staffers. (See “staffers.”)
That bill hasn’t really shown up on my radar screen yet.
flesh out. v. tr. To discuss, write up, or sketch out in further detail.
This document is just an outline. Let’s flesh out some of these ideas before our next meeting.
low-hanging fruit. n. The easiest or most obvious targets for action.
First you should call all the Ds who signed onto that previous letter, and any other low-hanging fruit.
drop a bill. v. To introduce a bill in Congress. Once a bill is introduced it is said to have been dropped or to have dropped.
We expect Senator Snickerbottom to drop his bill sometime before August.
staffer. n.
1. One who works for Congress, either in a particular member’s office or in a committee office.
2. Also occasionally applied to NGO or executive branch/agency staff.
See also “Hill staff.”
LA. n. Acronym for “legislative assistant.”
gettable. adj. Of a decision maker: capable of being swayed to one's position.
It's a long shot, but I think Smith is gettable on this vote.
fly-in. n. Event in which supporters of one's position or agenda are flown in from outside the Beltway to lobby their legislators on that agenda, and for other purposes.
The bad news is that Snickerbottom's dropping his bill on the 5th, but the good news is we already scheduled a sportsmen's fly-in for the same week.
member. n. A Member of Congress.
There were lots of staff at the reception, but only two or three members showed up.
swing. n. A decision maker who is undecided on a particular bill or vote, or on a particular issue in general, or one who votes unpredictably on that issue.
champ. n. A decision maker who is strongly supportive of one's position on a particular issue, and/or takes a leadership role by speaking on the floor, organizing fellow members of Congress, sponsoring a bill, or the like.
ask. n. The specific request one makes of a decision maker, especially if made during a meeting with him/her or his/her staff.
Lobbyist 1: I'm meeting with McFudderton's staff this afternoon about NEPA.
Lobbyist 2: What's your ask?
in the district. prep. In a member's Congressional district.
What are you hearing about this in the district?
have a call in. v. To have left a message or had a very brief conversation with someone about something.
I've been trying to figure out what's going on with this ag bill. Haven't heard anything, but I have a call in to Jeff at the committee office.
incent
grass roots
grass tops
hammer out. n.
broad brush strokes
re-upping (a grant)
bright lines
high bar
messaging
the community
sign-on letter
Dear Colleague
final analysis
feather in my cap
ear to the ground
checking the trap lines
drumbeat
phone bank
blast fax
1. To get off topic in a conversation.
2. To discuss specific policy details.
I don’t know if we want to get into the weeds of HCPs on this particular call.
radar screen. n. One’s purview, sphere of influence, realm of awareness. Especially used by staffers. (See “staffers.”)
That bill hasn’t really shown up on my radar screen yet.
flesh out. v. tr. To discuss, write up, or sketch out in further detail.
This document is just an outline. Let’s flesh out some of these ideas before our next meeting.
low-hanging fruit. n. The easiest or most obvious targets for action.
First you should call all the Ds who signed onto that previous letter, and any other low-hanging fruit.
drop a bill. v. To introduce a bill in Congress. Once a bill is introduced it is said to have been dropped or to have dropped.
We expect Senator Snickerbottom to drop his bill sometime before August.
staffer. n.
1. One who works for Congress, either in a particular member’s office or in a committee office.
2. Also occasionally applied to NGO or executive branch/agency staff.
See also “Hill staff.”
LA. n. Acronym for “legislative assistant.”
gettable. adj. Of a decision maker: capable of being swayed to one's position.
It's a long shot, but I think Smith is gettable on this vote.
fly-in. n. Event in which supporters of one's position or agenda are flown in from outside the Beltway to lobby their legislators on that agenda, and for other purposes.
The bad news is that Snickerbottom's dropping his bill on the 5th, but the good news is we already scheduled a sportsmen's fly-in for the same week.
- Usage note: this term is more commonly used by industry or for-profit lobbyists. Non-profits are more likely to call such an event a "lobby day."
member. n. A Member of Congress.
There were lots of staff at the reception, but only two or three members showed up.
swing. n. A decision maker who is undecided on a particular bill or vote, or on a particular issue in general, or one who votes unpredictably on that issue.
champ. n. A decision maker who is strongly supportive of one's position on a particular issue, and/or takes a leadership role by speaking on the floor, organizing fellow members of Congress, sponsoring a bill, or the like.
ask. n. The specific request one makes of a decision maker, especially if made during a meeting with him/her or his/her staff.
Lobbyist 1: I'm meeting with McFudderton's staff this afternoon about NEPA.
Lobbyist 2: What's your ask?
in the district. prep. In a member's Congressional district.
What are you hearing about this in the district?
have a call in. v. To have left a message or had a very brief conversation with someone about something.
I've been trying to figure out what's going on with this ag bill. Haven't heard anything, but I have a call in to Jeff at the committee office.
incent
grass roots
grass tops
hammer out. n.
broad brush strokes
re-upping (a grant)
bright lines
high bar
messaging
the community
sign-on letter
Dear Colleague
final analysis
feather in my cap
ear to the ground
checking the trap lines
drumbeat
phone bank
blast fax
