Lobbying Advoc in a Dis Congr

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

This seminar brings students face to face with how a previously bipartisan issue became a major political clash in a disruptive Congress. Started by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Export Import (Ex-Im) Bank provides direct loans and loan guarantees at low-interest rates to foreign entities to buy American products. However, despite a long history of bipartisan support, in 2015, the Export-Import Bank became a target for tea party and conservative activists, and on June 30 of that year, Congress failed to renew its charter and the agency shut its doors. Keeping the program alive required a multi-faceted campaign that outmaneuvered the power centers of Washington. This seminar explores how a successful advocacy campaign resurrected this government program amid opposition from some of the most powerful voices in Washington including the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader, Chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction, powerful think tanks, and interest groups. This class will examine the planning of the campaign, the use of modern advocacy tools, and the execution of the strategy. Students will learn how the revival was aided by cultivating congressional champions, engaging private sector leaders, recruiting local voices from around the country, executing grassroots and local media campaigns, taking a legislative hostage in the Senate, and using a rare procedural tool, the discharge petition, in the House of Representatives. Upon completion of the course, students will have gained knowledge and skills in modern advocacy techniques including the ability to develop, adjust, and implement effective lobbying campaigns. Moreover, students will have a greater understanding of the inside lawmaking process and the mobilization of outside support through coalition building in both the House and Senate.