AIP FYI #14: Congressional Calendar for 2003

The 108th Congress is now in session. When President Bush sends his FY
2004 budget request to Congress on February 3 the annual budget cycle will
begin. Hearings before various House and Senate authorization and
appropriations committees will occur throughout the year, with many of the
most important budget-related hearings held before the July 4th recess.

The following congressional calendar is useful in scheduling visits with
your representative or senators. Personal visits are an especially
effective way to communicate directly with your Members of Congress.

Traditionally, Members of Congress are in Washington on Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday, except as noted during the recesses below. Although many
constituents travel to Washington for such visits, it can be equally
effective, and less expensive, to visit with them in their local offices.
Such appointments are likely to be longer and will not have to compete with
hearings, roll call votes, and other duties. Also to be considered are
invitations to Members to visit research laboratories, universities, and
other such institutions where they can see, first-hand, tax dollars at
work.

To identify your Members of Congress, telephone numbers, and Washington and
local offices visit the following two web sites: http://www.house.gov/ and
http://www.senate.gov/index.htm Information on planning an effective
appointment can be found on the AIP Science Policy website at
http://www.aip.org/gov/commcong.html

February 3: President Bush submits his budget

February 17 – 21: House and Senate recess

April 14 – 25: House and Senate recess

May 26 – 30: House and Senate recess

June 30 – July 4: House and Senate recess

July 28 – September 2: House recess

August 4- September 1: Senate recess

October 1: Start of FY 2004

October 3: Target adjournment date

Richard M. Jones

Media and Government Relations Division

The American Institute of Physics

fyi@aip.org

(301) 209-3094