December 12, 2019
We live in a polarized world where ‘compromise’ is a dirty word for some and out-of-date for others. Yet the breakthroughs on USMCA and the 2020 Appropriations funding came through hard fought negotiation where everybody got some and everybody can say they won. Steve Gordon reports on USMCA, Appropriations, Judges, the economy, and next year’s Impeachment trial in the Senate that will begin the week of January 6th – all in this week’s Heard on the Hill. Al Jackson discusses the 2020 Defense Appropriations agreement. Ramona Lessen has linked to the Senate and House Calendars for 2020 – and are shown here. We’ll be back next week to wrap up the year before we wrap up our presents.
Read MoreNovember 20, 2019
There are not a lot of days left in this legislative year. Steve Gordon writes about what must pass, what should pass, and what will get pushed into next year in Heard on the Hill. Al Jackson has prepared an update on Defense and the Defense Appropriations. Steve Gordon then presents an interview that he recently did with Richard Sawaya, who is the Vice President of the National Foreign Trade Council and Director of USA *Engage, a coalition that promotes alternatives to unilateral trade sanctions. Dr. Sawaya makes a strong case that sanctions are not effective. Ramona Lessen, the Executive Director of our Washington office, has included the Congressional Committee hearing calendar for the week of November 18th. We’ll be off next week enjoying Thanksgiving with our families. We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving too. We’ll be back the first week of December with This Week.
Read MoreNovember 14, 2019
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) released a Georgia emissions analysis that looks at key pollutants and the overall environmental improvements seen across the state in recent years. The analysis shows that Georgia’s emissions have fallen by as much as 95 percent since 1990, even as the state’s energy demand has continued to increase, proving we can have energy production, expanded pipeline infrastructure and sound environmental stewardship at the same time. In October 2019, Consumer Energy Alliance partnered with Total Spectrum's Georgia State Team to accomplish their government relations goals in Georgia. For more than 14 years, CEA has worked alongside dedicated citizens and community leaders nationwide, advocating for sensible energy policies for all consumers - such as families and small businesses - by providing sound, unbiased information on energy issues.
Read MoreNovember 8, 2019
Dana Marston is our Business Partner at Total Spectrum, and she has been the Editor of This Week since we started in January of 2017. This week Dana added a new title to her business card: Mom. Commander Alex McConnell and Dana Marston (Mr. and Mrs. Alex McConnell) had a baby girl this week – Gatsby Alexandra McConnell. Mom, Dad, and Gatsby Alexandra are all tired, but doing very well. Steve Gordon covered all the other news around the Washington in his Heard on the Hill. Ramona Lessen, the Executive Director of our Washington office, is subbing for Dana for the next few months, and has included the Congressional Committee hearing calendar for the week of November 11th. We’ll be back next week with more of This Week.
Read MoreOctober 30, 2019
This week’s cover story is on the progress (or lack of progress) on this fiscal year’s appropriation process, and there is no better person to watch and explain it than Steve Ruhlen. In a career that spanned over 20 years on Capitol Hill, Steve served former House Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-TX) as his Chief of Staff, and he also was Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), the current ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee. You’ll enjoy Steve’s article – and articles that he’ll write in the future. Steve Gordon summarized what’s he’s heard in today’s Heard on the Hill.
Read MoreOctober 16, 2019
Al Jackson brings us up to date on defense and defense appropriations issues. Steve Gordon summarizes recent trade activity, discusses Secretary Chao’s initiative to support rural infrastructure, waves the flag about the Washington National’s pennant run, and reports on what he is hearing in Heard on the Hill.
Read MoreSeptember 24, 2019
Steve Gordon highlights last week’s Arizona Chamber Fly-in, summarizes progress on trade and appropriations, and has a special nomination for the ‘I haven’t heard that in a long time’ award – all in his Heard on the Hill. Dana Marston looks into Americans’ top health care priorities, rates of student cannabis vaping, and progress in congressional appropriations.
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2019
Steve Gordon talks about what people who work with Congress do when Congress is on recess, and provides Total Spectrum’s list of what Congress must do, should do, or could do between now and the end of the year. Al Jackson brings us an update on defense appropriations. Dana Marston shares highlights of this week’s legislative calendar, then takes a look at the ongoing appropriations process, a surge in federal cannabis lobbying, and variances in medical treatment for homeless veterans with opioid addictions. We’ll have a full schedule this week with members of the Arizona Chamber flying into Washington today, and we’ll report on some of who they saw and some of what they heard next week in This Week.
Read MoreAugust 28, 2019
Total Spectrum Georgia Director Jesse Weathington was named today as a member of Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan's Task Force on Healthcare Access and Cost. The group will pinpoint improvements that can be made to tackle the cost and access burdens to healthcare across Georgia. Specially, the Task Force will evaluate: 1) price transparency and other free market solutions; 2) data and technology utilization; and 3) employer innovation.
Read MoreJuly 29, 2019
The House of Representatives approved the Budget and Debt Ceiling agreement – and then adjourned for their August break. The Senate is in this week and will consider the budget agreement and a series of confirmation votes before they leave Washington. Al Jackson reviews activity on the upcoming Defense Appropriations bill. Steve Gordon covers the budget and debt ceiling agreement, the Senate’s floor agenda this week, trade news on USMCA and China, and a look at Federal Election Commission reports for the 2nd quarter from key Senate incumbents and their challengers. Steve provides a summary of the Surface Transportation Bill that was just released by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee…and closes with a note on Dan Coats – all in Heard on the Hill. We’ll follow the Senate and House out of town. But we’ll be back in a few weeks on a preview of what looks like a busy September and October. As always, thanks for your notes and suggestions. We’ll be back in a few weeks with the next edition of This Week.
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