Reforming Congress – Mike Cys, Former Director of Congressional and Public Affairs (Part 1)

March 2, 2021  

  • Video
  • 0:13 – Background
  • 1:39​ – What was it like going from state politics to national politics?
  • 3:42 – On the role of a communications director
  • 5:38 – On the time allocation of communications staff
  • 7:41 – Discussing the potential goals for members of Congress, and how communications directors work to meet those goals
  • 12:59 – How might communications staff be involved in the legislative process?
  • 14:32 – On the transition from DC politics to the nonprofit sector
  • 19:53 – What was it like watching politics from the outside, after spending so much time in it previously?
  • 21:50 – Getting involved in the legislative process from the nonprofit perspective
  • 24:07 – Interactions with members of Congress vs. committees
  • 26:56 – On transparency vs. privacy for legislating and debate
  • 28:40 – On working in the Executive Branch
    [End of Part 1]