Most foreign consular staff are assigned to Washington, D.C. with limited exposure and understanding of the United States political system, its political structures, and the intricate relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

To assist foreign consular staff in their interactions with Congress and the Administration, PACE Government Relations has partnered with the Institute for Public Policy Education (IPPE) to develop the IPPE Congressional Education Series to provide practical training on how best to approach, meet, and inform key policy makers.

The goals of the IPPE Congressional Education Series, a non-partisan not-for-profit organization, are to inform and education foreign consular staff on the role, operations, and budget processes of both the United States Congress and the Administration. The IPPE Congressional Education Series focuses on half-day or one-day education training seminars on the following topics:

How Congress Works-This seminar will provide an overview of the roles of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Congressional leadership. It will also examine how a bill becomes law from introduction to enactment.

The Federal Budget, Authorization, and Appropriations Processes-This seminar explains how the annual federal budget affects the authorization and appropriations process in Congress.

The Legislative Process-As a follow up to the “How Congress Works”, this seminar will provide an overview of the committee structure and the role of Congressional staff in the personal, leadership, committee offices.

The White House and Administration-The seminar will provide an overview of the organization, operation, and structure of the White House and the Executive Branch.

Additional Topics:

Leadership and Organization in Congress
Legislative Dynamics: The Key to Understanding Congress
Congressional Committees: Their Jurisdiction and Power
The Congressional Authorization, Appropriation and Budget Process
Leadership in the United States Senate
Briefing for Attending Committee and Markup Hearings
A Member's Perspective on Serving in Congress
Congressional Staffers' Roles and Responsibilities:
Panel of Congressional Staffers
The Congress and the Media:
Congress and National Security Policy
The Role of Party Leadership
House and Senate Floor Action
The Role and Operations of a Congressional Caucus
Executive Branch - Congressional Relations:
Working with the Congress: The White House Perspective

The seminars are taught by experts in the field, including, but not limited to congressional staffers, former and current policy makers, non-profit organizations using lectures, panels, and visits to the Capitol and federal agencies. Below is an example of an agenda for a half-day seminar.

How Congress Works