Director’s Desk
Kristin Nicholson | July 1, 2020
Dear Friends,
If you had told me in March I would still be writing to you from a makeshift office at my dining room table, I’m not sure whether I would have laughed or cried. Yet despite our continued remote operations, the whole GAI team is working hard to pivot to online programming. Last week, we hosted a very successful virtual Advanced Budget and Appropriations class, and this week we’re bringing Advanced Legislative Process online. In July and September, we will offer the Congressional Operations Seminar, and there’s much more to come. If there are particular programs you would like to see online, or if we can tailor a virtual training for your office, please let us know.
GAI is certainly not the only organization exploring new ways of conducting business. As Fellow Katina Slavkova details in this month’s newsletter, congressional committees are also breaking new ground as they look to ramp up oversight in the midst of a pandemic. But while hearings may look a little different these days, many of the fundamentals remain the same.
It continues to be a busy summer on the Hill, as members seek to make up for work time lost over the past few months. Consideration of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act continues on the Senate Floor this week, while the House Armed Services Committee begins its marathon mark-up of the bill this morning. Meanwhile, the FY21 appropriations process is moving at a good clip in the House, but has stalled in the Senate, due to an impasse over potentially controversial amendments and policy riders.
We’ll keep our eye on all of it for you, even if it’s from the dining room table.
All the best,
Kristin
Categories: Director's Desk, Media Center, Updates