Welcome to Gavel In, a limited-run explainer podcast series designed especially to mentor new Members Elect of the incoming 119th Congress, their staff, and families, to help them successfully set up their new office, team, and Washington home base with ease.Gavel In augments their official New Member Orientation and breaks down complex topics in short, easy-to-understand lessons on House Floor operations, office structure and hiring, budgeting, technology, security, ethics, and also the intricacies of parliamentary procedure, rules, and how a bill becomes a law. Gavel In is your New Member Orientation study buddy, with just-in-time, deeply researched accessible explainers on the ins and outs of working in Congress.
For the inaugural episode of Gavel In, your hosts, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift, pull back the curtain on Members’ and staffers’ real experiences in navigating the legislative process.Guests:Former Representative Brian Baird [D, WA]Dr. Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise InstituteBetsy Wright Hawkings, Manager of Congressional Outreach at the - Levin Center and former Chief of Staff for multiple Members including Former Rep. Christopher Shays [R, CT]Yuri Beckelman, Chief of Staff for Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Additional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found here: popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-1
During this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift glean insight from seven guests – three sitting Representatives, two former Members of House, and three experienced Chiefs of Staff – about how to approach hiring staff at the start of a new Congress. From honing in on what staff positions to fill first to sharing insights on how to foster a good working relationship between DC and district-based teams, to the importance of fostering mentorships, the conversation is packed with wisdom from some of the most effective managers on the Hill. Guests:Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Rep. Kat Cammack [R, FL]Rep. Derek Kilmer [D, WA]Former Rep. Rodney Davis [R, IL]Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO]Bradford Fitch, former President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, and former Chief of StaffKeenan Austin Reed, Principal and incoming CEO at the Alpine Group and former Chief of StaffYuri Beckelman, Chief of Staff for Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Additional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-2
A Member’s committee assignments can define their career in Congress. As a freshman, what expectations should you have regarding vying for a seat on the committees of your choice and how can you ensure to make an impact starting with that first hearing? In this episode of Gavel In, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift talk to a mix of former and current Members of Congress as well as three Congressional experts about the ins and outs of the committee process, how to best prepare for hearings, and how to foster a productive relationship with committee staff. Guests:Rep. Stephanie Bice [R, OK]Former Rep. Rodney Davis [R, IL]Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO]Jen Daulby, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, former Staff Director of the Committee on House Administration under Ranking Member Rodney Davis [R, IL]Nicole Tisdale, former Director for the White House National Security Council and the House Committee on Homeland Security, and POPVOX Foundation Senior Fellow Dr. Maya Kornberg, Senior Researcher and Policy Portfolio Manager at the Brennan Center for JusticeAdditional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-3
In this episode of Gavel In, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift engage with guests to demystify the House Rules to prepare incoming Members for one of the first votes they will cast. From covering suspension bills to the 72-hour rule, the motion to vacate, and recent trends with continuing resolutions, this episode provides rich content and highlights the resources available to Members and staff to help them become pros – fast – on Rules and procedure. Guests:Dr. Casey Burgat, Director of the Legislative Affairs program at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington UniversityDr. Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise InstituteFormer Rep. Brian Baird [D, WA]Additional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-4
MRA is an acronym that all House Members and staff learn quickly. It stands for the “Members’ Representational Allowance,” which is a Representative’s allotted budget to support their office operations during each calendar year. In this episode of Gavel In, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift interview current and former Chiefs of Staff and Congressional experts about strategies to make the most out of the MRA. They also share tips for how to get smart on the rules regulating its use so that you avoid any issues. Guests:Yuri Beckelman, Chief of Staff for Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Jen Daulby, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, former Staff Director of the Committee on House Administration under Ranking Member Rodney Davis [R, IL]Dr. Casey Burgat, Director of the Legislative Affairs program at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington UniversityKeenan Austin Reed, Principal and incoming CEO at the Alpine Group and former Chief of StaffAdditional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-5
Oversight of the Executive branch is a cornerstone responsibility of Congress and essential to the checks and balances of America’s federal government. In this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift speak with experienced Congressional staff and scholars about the House’s oversight powers, strategies for effective interactions between the branches, and recent changes to Congressional authorities due to the overturning of the Chevron doctrine. Guests:Dr. Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise InstituteNicole Tisdale, former Director for the White House National Security Council and the House Committee on Homeland Security, and POPVOX Foundation Senior FellowBetsy Wright Hawkings, Manager of Congressional Outreach at the Levin Center and former Chief of Staff for multiple Members including former Rep. Christopher Shays [R, CT]Dr. Maya Kornberg, Senior Researcher and Policy Portfolio Manager at the Brennan Center for JusticeKeenan Austin Reed, Principal and incoming CEO at the Alpine Group and former Chief of StaffAdditional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-6
In this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift welcome onto the podcast a bipartisan mix of current Members of Congress and former Chiefs of Staff who share their advice on how to make your work in Washington more accessible and relevant to the folks back home in your district, including creative email campaigns, real-time FaceTiming with constituents, music festivals, and more.Guests:Rep. Kat Cammack [R, FL]Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Rep. Bryan Steil [R, WI]Betsy Wright Hawkings, Manager of Congressional Outreach at the Levin Center and former Chief of Staff for multiple Members including Former Rep. Christopher Shays [R, CT]Bradford Fitch, former President and CEO of the Congressional Management FoundationAdditional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-7
Congress is known to be a relationship business, but it also has a reputation for being a hub of debate and partisan turmoil. In this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift dig into how new Members and staff can overcome partisan challenges by seeking the advice of seasoned current and former Representatives and staff. Guests:Rep. Derek Kilmer [D, WA]Former Rep. Rodney Davis [R, IL]Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO]Former Rep. Brian Baird [D, WA]Bradford Fitch, former President and CEO of the Congressional Management FoundationAdditional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-8
Across their conversations with current and former Members of Congress, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift asked them, “What do you wish you knew during your freshman term that you know now?” Their answers don’t disappoint! From adjusting to a steep learning curve and the realization that holding a seat in the House is anything but a nine-to-five job, to how to set boundaries and prioritize self-care, this episode is a catch-all of advice from experienced Members to their new peers. Guests:Rep. Bryan Steil [R, WI]Rep. Stephanie Bice [R, OK]Rep. Kat Cammack [R, FL]Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Former Rep. Rodney Davis [R, IL]Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO]Former Rep. Brian Baird [D, WA]Additional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-9
Over the last several years, the House has been undergoing an internal modernization golden age, led by Members and staff who have been inspired by the idea that an institution that works better internally operates more effectively and better serves the public. These improvements also translate into a more optimized onboarding process and resources for incoming freshmen and their staff. For this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift spoke with the champions of the House modernization movement to discuss some of the biggest changes that have recently come to fruition.Guests:Rep. Stephanie Bice [R, OK]Rep. Derek Kilmer [D, WA]Rep. Bryan Steil [R, WI]Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Yuri Beckelman, Chief of Staff for Rep. Maxwell Frost [D, FL]Dr. Casey Burgat, director of the Legislative Affairs program at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington UniversityAdditional resources, including those mentioned in the episode, can be found popvox.org/gavel-in/ep-10