How Does Legislative Advocacy Work?

The Legislative branch is the most powerful entity that shapes the policies which impact our industry. It is critical to strategically engage with members of Congress, balancing our idealized goals with compromises tailored to the larger objectives of the lawmakers that we are in front of.

ADI meets with members of Congress who are most engaged on the issues impacting us and the members of the relevant Congressional Committees to understand how we can integrate our positions into their goals and how best to advocate for the adoption of our policies.

About Congressional Committees

Congressional Committees are critical because it is where small groups of interested legislators shape agency policy, with the (partial) intent being to make the agency do what it otherwise would not. Appropriations committees are the most critical in shaping federal agency policy:

      1. Budget allocation: Appropriations committees determine how much money each federal agency receives. By increasing or decreasing funding for specific programs or initiatives, they can effectively promote or discourage certain policies.

      2. Policy riders: Committees can attach policy requirements, known as "riders," to appropriations bills. These riders can mandate or prohibit certain actions by federal agencies.

      3. Report language: Committees include detailed reports with appropriations bills that provide guidance on how funds should be spent. While not legally binding, agencies generally follow this guidance to maintain good relationships with Congress.

      4. Oversight hearings: Appropriations committees hold hearings where agency officials testify about their budget requests and activities. This allows committee members to scrutinize and influence agency priorities.

      5. Reprogramming requests: Agencies must seek committee approval to shift funds between programs, giving committees ongoing influence over agency operations.

      6. Program creation or elimination: By funding new programs or cutting funding for existing ones, appropriations committees can significantly shape an agency's focus and priorities.

Committees of Jurisdiction

Committees of Jurisdiction wield significant power over federal agencies, through their control over budget allocation. They determine the specific funding levels, including for specific programs and objectives, for the FAA, USDA, FCC and all other federal agencies.

The committees' influence extends beyond mere financial allocation. They conduct oversight through hearings where officials from the USDA, FDA, and other relevant agencies testify about their budget requests and program implementation. This process allows committee members to scrutinize agency activities and influence their priorities. Furthermore, the committees can include specific directives or restrictions in the text of appropriations bills, guiding how funds should or should not be used.

In addition to the bills themselves, the committees issue detailed reports that accompany the appropriations bills. These reports provide crucial guidance to agencies on congressional intent and priorities. Through their power to provide or withhold funding, these committees can effectively create new programs or phase out existing ones, significantly impacting the direction of agricultural policy. It's crucial to understand that while these committees have considerable power over agricultural spending, they operate within the broader context of the federal budget process. Their decisions must align with overall spending caps and require approval from the full Congress and the President to become law.