Clearly, science and technology plays an increasingly important role in setting government policy. In congressional newsletters, you'll often read, "Let Science Decide.” That's true to some degree, but it's not black and white. On issues like climate change, stem cell research, and missile defense, there is no scientific study that will carry the day or win the argument. The science is convoluted with an array of other factors that filter the perceptions of legislators and determine how they will vote. Legislators know they need more support from the science community, and many offices are looking for science fellows. Trained scientists and engineers who can write clearly, and present their thoughts in simple and concise terms, are invaluable to their members.

'As with any newcomer, the engineer needs to adapt to the fast-paced work environment in the Congress. The time scale to provide input is minutes to hours, and not days to weeks. Hopefully, you'll get to dig into a piece or legislation and become a real expert in a subject area, but at times you'll need to skim a summary report from the Congressional Research Service and make a quick recommendation. Although the work environment is fast paced, the passage of legislation is at times glacial. On average, a bill takes seven years to work its way though Congress. So, IEEE-USA needs to be in this for the long haul. Hill staff turns over quickly, so we need to be on the Hill year after year, to educate and reeducate staffers.

This year, I worked extensively on a production tax credit for renewable energy resources that will diversify the nation's energy supply. Early in the year, I supported the introduction of Senator Reid's Renewable Energy Development Incentives Act, which expands the currently limited production tax credit to include environmentally-preferred renewable energy sources such as solar, open-loop biomass, geothermal, and incremental hydropower and makes the credit permanent to signal America's long-term commitment to renewable energy resources. Later in the year, I wrote a bill that refined the earlier legislation by adding incremental geothermal and landfill gas as renewable energy resources, and by increasing our stakeholders through provisions for public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives. Under this legislation, the government provides a credit of 1.8 cents for every kilowatt-hour of renewable energy supplied to consumers, effectively reducing the market price of the energy and making it competitive. We didn't get the bill through Congress in 2001, and we may not in 2002 either. But we've written some excellent legislation that will hopefully become law someday.

Just a few words about passing legislation. It takes 51 (or a simple majority of) votes to get a bill passed by the US Senate and, even more importantly, a "vehicle” to do it. There are very few "standalone” bills that will be passed and survive a conference with a companion House bill to be later signed by the President. So, it's necessary to find another bill or "vehicle” that can be amended to include your legislation. In 2001, the Congress passed a Tax Bill, Brownfields Bill, Education Bill, and 13 Appropriations Bills. Unless an issue is one of immediate national concern, the only bills that must be passed are those 13 appropriations bills, and technically you can't attach legislation to them. In any legislative session, there aren't many chances to see the legislation you work on become Public Law. But an issue can become "hot” in a moment and the Congress will act. Perhaps it's an energy crisis in California or the terrible events of September 11. As always, Congress responds to the will and perceived needs of the people.

I was also the primary author of a bill that requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a theme study to identify sites and resources to commemorate and interpret the Cold War. I'm hopeful that bill will be attached to some piece of legislation in 2002, especially since a companion bill in the House has passed. Throughout the year I advised the Senator on legislation that I felt he should co-sponsor including bills to (1) provide tax incentives to introduce new technologies to reduce energy consumption in buildings and appliances, (2) increase appropriations for low income energy assistance, weatherization, and state energy conservation grant programs, (3) support the development of a domestic capability to economically produce hydrogen in quantities that will make a significant contribution toward reducing the nation's dependence on conventional fuels, and (4) support the growth of domestic commercial space launch facilities.

In addition to my purely legislative assignments, I also worked on appropriations. Senator Reid is the Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations, and serves on Defense Appropriations and Military Construction. The appropriations process in 2001 was initially delayed with the change in leadership in the Senate, and the Defense Appropriations bill was "the last train to leave the station,” with final passage the day before adjournment on December 20. Appropriations is a different animal. It takes a lot of attention to detail and a careful vetting of many proposals to settle on what the priorities should be. The Defense Bill in 2001 was $317 billion, approximately half of the nation's discretionary spending, so many needs were met.

I worked on the 5th floor of the Hart Senate Office Building, so you might guess that the last few months following the events of September 11 and the anthrax attack were difficult. We were tested for anthrax exposure and I was put on Cipro for a few days. Senator Reid's staff was relocated from the Hart building to the Capitol. But, in truth, this just expanded the learning experience. I shared a small office in the terrace area of the Capitol with 8 other staffers, including the Senator's chief legal counsel. This was especially insightful during the last few weeks of the session, i.e., the "end game,” where things usually shake loose and the biggest deals and compromises are made.

I think the IEEE-USA runs a well-managed congressional fellows program, but I'm convinced it can be more effective in promoting its legislative agenda. IEEE congressional fellows should be encouraged to take assignments with legislators who are not recognizable champions of science and technology. True, it's a risk, but if a fellow is assigned to a member of Congress with an established track record of support for our issues, what's to be gained? We can't preach to the choir and expect to make progress. In that regard, former fellows can help by making "insider” calls to identify those offices, which have little experience with fellows, but might be good to work in.

While writing policy and position papers is fine, it's just as important to know "who” needs to get the message as "what” the message is. Clearly, certain committees have jurisdiction over issues, and certain members have more or less interest based on the importance of an issue to their constituency. If we want to pursue a NASA issue, then the Senators from Maryland, California, and Texas might be the most important to contact.

IEEE needs to have a presence on the Hill. Out of sight is out of mind. Every IEEE-USA policy committee should be on the Hill for one meeting a year Á it should be mandatory. I write a "week-in-review” report for Senator Reid every week. He reads every word of these reports and assigns action items for follow up. I'm sure staffers in other offices report in a similar fashion, so it pays to get you issues in front of the congressional staff. This interaction needs to be personal. And it's okay to repeat the message. Unless I really need an issue, one visit is something I quickly file away and forget about. I have regular customers who pay me a visit every few weeks. Staffers respond to the here and now, to the immediate pressures of their jobs and who they just spoke to about an issue.

In closing, let me say a simple heartfelt thank you to IEEE-USA for this challenging and rewarding experience. IEEE-USA policy committees and the fellows program have an important role to play in our representative democracy. It fulfills a responsibility to our members and to the nation.

Peter Winokur, NPSS President, is an IEEE Congressional Fellow who can be reached at Office of Senator Reid, 528 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20510; Phone: +1 202 224-3542; Fax: +1 202 224-7327; E-mail: p.winokur@ieee.org.