Busy Day in Washington

On Thursday I had scheduled the remaining three appointments with the New Hampshire congressional delegation. The morning began with a visit with a staff member from Jeanne Shaheen's office. I had a pre-existing relationship with one of Senator Shaheen's staff, so I had set the appointment with him. The meeting was largely about the reauthorization of the FAA and Surface Transportation Acts and extensions. The timing was fortuitous as the Senate was voting on the extension that day. Senator Shaheen has been a great supporter of Infrastructure needs so I am sure my visit only reinforced views already shared by the Senator.

After the ten o'clock meeting, I had some time before my next meeting with Congressman Guinta's staff. I passed the time in the Air and Space Museum. Pictured below is Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis". The Museum is a mix of older aircraft and space craft. On a warm day that was threatening rain it was a nice respite in between meetings. After a tour of the museum it was on to the National Mall for lunch before crossing over to the House Office Buildings.

Congressman Guinta is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which is obviously a critical appointment for the attention to New Hampshire's Infrastructure needs. I met with the Congressman's Legislative Assistant assigned to Transportation issues. For each discussion the issues presented were very similar, but the discussions that unfold are often tailored to the interests of the delegate.

For these meetings, there is a need for efficiency in discussing one's concerns, which is especially true when there is an audience with a Senator or Congressman. Echoing through the halls of the House and Senate Office Buildings are a series of bells with a code that I haven't fully deciphered. These are calls to vote or warnings of the time until the next vote. When visiting, it is critical to express your concerns efficiently saving extended details or less important issues for later in the discussion in case the appointment has to be cut short. Often meetings cut short are continued with a staff member, but even their time can be limited.

When looking at the face of the Capital, with the Washington Monument directly behind it and chambered wings on each side, the House Chamber is on the left side and the Senate Chamber is on the right. Moving further to the left away from the Capital are the House Office Buildings. Moving to the right away from the Capital are the Senate Office Buildings. The office buildings have underground connections to the respective chambers.

This helps the Senators and Representatives move very efficiently when a vote is called. Unfortunately when those of us not elected have a slate of appointments this may mean walking rapidly through the front of the Capital plaza between the respective offices.

The last meeting of the day was Senator Ayotte. The meeting started with one of her legislative assistant, but the Senator was able to join us shortly into the discussion. I had not had the pleasure of meeting the Senator. I was left very impressed with her knowledge of the issues facing New Hampshire and her commitment to responsibly addressing our State's infrastructure needs. She is committed to a long term infrastructure bill, but is concerned that it should be adequately funded.

There was also a lot of discussion about the prescriptive nature of many of the infrastructure funding programs. New Hampshire has been blessed with very competent Commissioners and State employees who have taken their jobs of allocating resources very seriously and make good decisions on the projects to advance. By re-visiting some of the prescriptive spending requirements, the hope would be that each State would have move flexibility in where federal funds were spent and in which programs.

New Hampshire has a fine group of congressional delegates who were very generous with their time and discussing their opinions on the issues facing our State. They have also been very responsive to the needs of the State in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. A visit in Washington is a great way to better understand the impressive schedules that each maintain. 

Friday morning with my visits on Capital Hill concluded and a business breakfast concluded, I spent a few hours in the Washington zoo. One of the amazing things about Washington is that admittance to the many museums, monuments, and
other facilities are all free.

As you find your voice and establish a relationship with your congressional delegation, take advantage of this amazing destination to visit the many destinations in the Capital. Also take advantage of the time each delegate spends in our own State at their many offices and at meetings in many of the towns.