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CONGRESSMAN
RSC 2.0:CAST A VISION. BUILD CONSENSUS. ACHIEVE RESULTS.
REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
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For decades, the Republican Study
Committee has served as the anchor of the
conference, the refuge for conservatives and
the laboratory of ideas and solutions.
Built upon an unshakable and time tested
foundation of:
Adherence to the Constitution
Lessening the tax burden
Reducing the size of government
Promoting personal responsibility
Providing liberty and justice for all
Standing upon the shoulders of giants, the
RSC of tomorrow has a challenging task
ahead and a significant role to play in the
future of our great nation -- one in which no
one should take lightly.
Regardless of which party is in control,
strong political winds are always blowing
from the left. We will not sway if we remain
anchored and unified around our core
principles.
RSC 2.0
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To be effective, RSC must cast a
vision that strategically embraces our
conservative principles and aligns
them with tomorrows challenges.
These challenges are predictable, and
by planning and prioritizing, RSC will
be proactive, not reactive, and able to
influence the agenda. By looking ahead
to the major known events, RSC 2.0 will
encourage members to develop solutions to
the challenges we will confront. Together,
we will establish measurable, achievable
goals and develop a long-term, strategic
plan to help the Republican Conference
advance the ball down the field.
RSC 2.0: CAST A VISION
Now more than ever, RSC has a vital role to play in shaping Americas
future. To be successful, we must be effective. To be effective we must:
Cast a Vision Build Consensus Achieve Results
From our districts to the U.S. Capitol, we must give our conservative
principles a greater voice, a more powerful position, and a more
prominent seat at the table in the policy debates.
Where there is no vision, the people perish... Proverbs 29:18
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RSC 2.0: BUILD CONSENSUS
Weve had our greatest successes as a
group when an idea was offered, input
gathered, and consensus formed, like
Cut, Cap, and Balance. This created broad
ownership of a solution and is a model
upon which we can and must build.
Every idea begins with discussion among
a few like-minded individuals, but for it to
be successful, we must build out from the
core group and have buy-in from the full
membership.
Being a large group, we have many
diverse ideas and opinions. This makes
our group stronger.
RSC 2.0 will offer Listening Sessions on
major legislation to allow all members
to influence the solutions RSC ultimately
puts forth. Instead of just a few members
deciding for the whole group, RSC
Members input will drive the mission.
In addition, holding RSC markups of major
policy initiatives will allow RSC Members
to offer amendments and put their mark
on RSC legislation.
Finally, RSC must grow support for its
ideas across the country by building
stronger coalitions with grassroots allies.
Roundtable discussions with industry
and outside group leaders will allow
RSC members to advance policy to the
grassroots. These groups can then
educate their members to support our
efforts and engage them to influence the
legislative process.
No if I can get 70 or 80 percent of what it is Im trying toget... Ill take that and then continue to try and get the rest in
the future. - President Ronald Reagan
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RSC 2.0: ACHIEVE RESULTS
Our goal is to achieve results. And,
operating in the majority requires us to
be resolute and tactically smart, willing
to call a fullback dive or a post pattern
whatever it takes to move the ball towards
the goal line without giving up yardage.We can negotiate our preferences while
not compromising our principles.
As the largest Republican Caucus in
the House, RSC has members on every
committee. RSC 2.0 will work the whole
legislative process, not just amendment
after amendment on the House floor,
in order to implement our principlesthroughout the legislative process. We
will also appoint RSC liaisons on all
major committees and equip them with
solutions and amendments earlier in
the legislative process. This strategy will
become a yes if approach, instead of
no because.
And if we are unsuccessful in committee,
RSC will consult with the membership
and leadership to offer achievable,
conservative amendments on the floor
again, attempting to move the ball down
the field with a yes if approach.
However, there will be times when we
must take a stand because legislation
presented before us will compromise
our core values and principles. If we are
fortunate enough to preserve this great
nation, history will record that there werespirited exchanges, fierce debates, and
passionate speeches. And that we held
firm, not compromising our core values.
With this approach, RSC will certainly have
success, and we must celebrate those
achievements as a group. Celebrating
success will allow us to look at how we
crossed the goal line, knowing the nextplay series is just a few seconds away.
Make a differencenot just a speech. Rep. Jeb Hensarling
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REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TEAM
Therefore, RSC will implement theRepublican Response Team 2.0.
A rapid response team and a coordinated
communications effort will put our ideas
out into the main stream showing that
House conservatives have the solutions the
American people seek.
Every issue will have a team of expertsready to appear on television, radio and
other mediums to promote the solutions
we offer in the House. Communicating this
message cannot be left to just Fox News
and conservative talk radio. We must reach
out to news outlets all across the political
spectrum in order to extend the reach for
our policies.
RSC will also lead Congress in social media
grassroots outreach by equipping our
members with the tools to build stronger
coalitions with grassroots allies. This
approach will draw new energy to our
cause, while staying true to our core
mission.
RSC has some of the best communicators in Congress, and in
order to maximize results, conservatives must be the ones
who defend our policies and advocate for our solutions.
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PROTECT ANDENHANCE THE BRAND
Because we are fighting a steady
breeze and the occasional gale force
wind from the left, RSC members
must be firmly anchored. Its crucial
that there is a concerted effort to
protect and enhance the brand.
The Right First StepsBy giving our new members the Best
Practices Manual, our new conservative
colleagues will build their new offices
with proven techniques and avoid many
of the pitfalls that plague new offices.
A new RSC Member Orientation will
showcase all the programs RSC offers its
members and how we can be helpful inadvancing new members legislative goals.
RSC2 Mentor Program will partner a new
member with a more senior member who
can serve as a trusty-worthy friend, in
order to build a foundation for success.
Advance the MissionAdvancing our Mission isnt just about
offering sound policy, it also requires
RSC to strategically think about how to
advance our goals. RSC 2.0 will implement
a plan to recruit more conservatives to
the Steering Committee and add RSC
Members to key committees to help
influence legislation.
In addition, RSC staff can provide
introductions and meetings with key
industry leaders to help RSC Members
advance their policy initiatives.
Staff Member OrientationAdding a staff member orientation to
the mission and services RSC provides
will empower staff to be more effective
in advocating for their bosses legislative
priorities.