The Hill Staffer's Reality

The Hill Staffer’s Reality

… And what really annoys them (but they’re way too polite to tell you.)

“Reality” vs. Reality

Hollywood Capitol Hill Average Age of House Legislative Assistant: 27 865% Average Percentage Increase in Constituent Mail

House Senate All Offices

585% 548% 548%

396% 401% 297% 255% 275% 241% 154% 169% 202% 111% 94% 66% 158% 78% 114% Baseline 92% 110% 64% 55% 72%

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Staffing

Number of Full Time House Staff 18

Year House Staff Number Frozen 1974 1974

55 cents Average Hours Per Week Worked by Members

70 59

Chamber in session Chamber out of session This Guy? Matters to THIS Senator! Importance of Work Environment

Contribution Your Work Has to 33% Goals of Office 70%

35% Meaningfulness of Job 75%

46% Overall Office Culture 79%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% US Employees Congressional Employees Meeting Pet Peeves Meeting Pet Peeves

“Not helpful to go over staff head - utilize staffer assigned to issue area.” District Director Pet Peeves District Director Pet Peeves

“It is very frustrating that you would schedule something completely without consulting us on the date and then be upset with us when we cannot attend. It makes me not want to take you seriously.” Pet Peeves

“Do not threaten [us].”

“Do not tell us you pay our salaries.”

“Do not sandbag us [at the event] by asking [the Member] to do something that wasn’t agreed to up front.” Meeting Pet Peeves Meeting Pet Peeves

“The lack of preparation for meetings is a real problem. It's disappointing when constituents and/or lobbyists come in for meetings and they are clueless about the Congressman, district and committee assignments.” Meeting Pet Peeves Meeting Pet Peeves

“Don't bring too many people, four at most is best. Rooms are small and it is easier to appoint one or two people to speak.”

“If have multiple people in a meeting, not everyone has to tell the same story over and over again to make the point…” Meeting Tips Meeting Tips

“It is surprising how often a constituent, or even a paid lobbyist, will fail to respond to requests of technical information. Even if the lobbyist feels that more information could be harmful to their case it is better for them to provide that information than to second guess our office's reasoning for making the request.”

“Mentioning campaign contributions or other political support should be avoided. It is against the rules and it intimates that they and the Member of Congress are for sale.” CongressFoundation.org Susie Gorden Vice President [email protected]

Twitter: @CongressFDN Phone: 202-546-0100