Inside Budget Reconciliation: A Conversation with Former Congressman Daniel Lipinski Hosted by The Sunwater Institute and Legis1

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    About Rep. Lipinski

    Former Congressman Dan Lipinski grew up in the blue-collar “bungalow belt” on the Southwest Side of Chicago and went on to earn two engineering degrees (Northwestern and Stanford) and a Ph.D. in political science from Duke. Dan taught American Politics as an assistant professor before serving 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives where he was known as a commonsense problem solver who brought people together and got things done.

    Dan is working on a book about his work in Congress and what needs to be done to mend the dangerous divide in America. He has recently published articles in First Things, America, The Atlantic, RealClearPolitics, and Public Discourse, as well as op-eds in the The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, and the Chicago Tribune. Dan sits on the Board of Empower Illinois, and on the Advisory Councils of the Belmont House on Capitol Hill, the National Committee on Religious Freedom, the Sunwater Institute (Congressional Reform), and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

    Agenda

    • Date: May 22nd, 2025
    • Location: Zoom
    • Time:
      • 3:00-3:30: Presentation
      • 3:30-3:40: Live Q&A
        • Audience-submitted questions moderated by Sunwater Institute
      • 3:40-3:45 – Legis1 Overview
        • Quick tour of Legis1’s platform and how it supports deeper understanding of Congressional processes

    Webinar Summary

    Gain a comprehensive understanding of the budget reconciliation process from former Congressman Dan Lipinski, exploring the historical context of the 2017 reconciliation and addressing new challenges in 2025. The webinar will provide expert predictions on House Republican alignment with President Trump’s legislative agenda and potential bipartisan compromises. Attendees will acquire practical tools to navigate Congress during a budget reconciliation cycle.

    What will be discussed:

    • What is budget reconciliation? Historical context and intended purpose
    • Procedural mechanics in the Senate and House (e.g., Byrd Rule, vote thresholds)
    • Advantages and limitations of reconciliation as a legislative tool
    • Behind-the-scenes insights from the 2017 reconciliation effort (e.g., ACA repeal attempt, tax reform)
    • How party dynamics and committee negotiations shaped the process
    • Lessons learned on legislative strategy, timing, and communication
    • Current dynamics in the House and Senate impacting budget reconciliation
    • Political and policy implications for 2025 and beyond
    • Prospects for using reconciliation in upcoming fiscal or social policy legislation

    BONUS:

    After the webinar, you’ll receive an exclusive week-long trial of Legis1! Legis1 is a next-generation legislative intelligence platform that leverages advanced AI and robust analytics to deliver unparalleled insight into the inner workings of Congress and the government affairs industry including legislative tracking, hearing transcripts, staffer directories, and more! Designed for professionals seeking to build connections, harness data-driven insights, and maximize impact, Legis1 transforms complex political data into actionable knowledge.