Understanding How Congress Works

  Washington, D.C. can be intimidating given the enormous, imposing and massive buildings and monuments dedicated to history, power and glory.  Congress itself can seem far from our reach and distant from our lives.  Lobbying scandals and leadership abuse makes us question the law-making process and our role in it.  How can citizens and small groups make a difference in the way business is conducted in the nation’s capitol?  How does the system really work and what can we do to stay in charge. 

Answers to these questions and many more are at the heart of what we do at RKB Consulting.  Through tailored programs, classes, seminars and training, we provide the setting and background for understanding how Congress operates and how average citizens can influence the policy development and law making processes of our country.

 RKB Consulting provides just the right mix of basic government foundation instruction combined with lobbying training.  We will demystify the institution and provide a straight-forward “How To” guide for those who need help navigating the complexities of the legislative process.

For the novice or the knowledgeable, RKB Consulting services will teach you about Congress, its functions, roles and mission.   We will examine  the legislative process and uncover the important differences between the House and the Senate.   Participants will learn how to use technology to locate legislative information and convey views.  

With a little patience, determination, and knowledge of the institution and its intricate processes – participants will appreciate how Congress has such power over us – and over which we wield such power.

Thank you!

Rebecca K. Blood

President, RKB Consulting

       
About Rebecca K. Blood

          Rebecca K. Blood has more than twenty five years of public policy, legislative and regulatory experience at the local, state, and federal levels of government, with expertise in energy and environmental issues.  She is currently President of RKB Consulting, providing advocacy and legislative training services for anyone interested in understanding how Congress really works.  

           For nearly 14 years, Rebecca Blood worked at the American Public Power Association (APPA), the national service organization representing the interests of the nation’s not-for-profit state and locally-owned electric utilities.  She served most recently as a Senior Policy Advisor, focusing on utility restructuring, renewable energy, energy conservation, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, hydropower licensing reform, and global climate change issues.  She participated in climate change negotiations with industry and the executive branch and managed various task forces on hydropower, air quality and renewable issues. She also directed APPA’s Policy Makers’ Council consisting of locally-elected officials and mayors from public power member communities.

           Before coming to the APPA, Ms. Blood served as a consultant with APCO Associates, representing electric utility clients before Congress and the administration.   From 1986 – 1991, Ms. Blood was Assistant Director of the Washington, D.C. office of Ohio Governor Richard F. Celeste.

          Prior to working for the State of Ohio, Ms. Blood served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Phil Sharp (D-IN) (1984), as Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) (1982-1984), and as a Constituent Service Representative for Senator Levin in Michigan (1980-1982) .