Inside Washington (Mid-term Elections)

The 2010 edition of our Inside Washington study program continues a long APEP tradition of introducing participants from diverse sectors – government, business, higher education and media – to the inner mechanisms of Washington, D.C. The program is designed specifically for mid-level managers and policymakers.

This year’s Inside Washington program will coincide with the mid-term elections for the United States Congress which will be held on November 2. All of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for (re)election, and 36 of the 100 seats in the Senate. With approval ratings for President Obama and congressional Democrats waning, the Republicans are expected to make gains in both House and Senate. If the Republicans succeed in taking control, the remaining two years of President Obama’s first term could prove to be challenging. Many State and local elections, including those for 39 State governors, will also be held on the same date. Considering their crucial nature, these mid-term elections and their potential impact on future U.S. policy will feature prominently in our program.

Taking advantage of the timing, we will invite several newly elected Tweede Kamer members to participate in this program that will provide a close view of the US electoral system and policy making process.

Inside Washington 2010 offers participants:

·       An inside look at 'how Washington works': how do the various branches of government function and interact, what are the decision-making processes, who are the main players?

·       An intensive agenda of informal, face-to-face discussion meetings with senior representatives from politics, government, business, lobby groups and the media in the US capital. A meeting with White House staff and a Congressman; with prominent corporate lobbyists, a pollster, leading opinion-makers from think tanks (e.g. American Enterprise Institute, Brookings Institution) and the media (such as The Washington Post or CNN); and visits to the Supreme Court and the Federal Reserve (or another influential financial institution) are all prospective parts of the program.

·       A great networking opportunity: throughout the six-day program, participants will be given ample time for informal discussions with fellow delegation members from various sectors and backgrounds.

·       A close-up look at current issues: the program will also focus on topical issues such as:

-          The health care sector: what will the effects be of the newly passed health care bill?

-          President Obama’s job-creation plan:  the plan would save or create 2.5 million jobs by 2011. To what extent is it successful?

-          Financial reform: what impact will the financial reform bill have on financial institutions and on preventing another crisis?

-          Climate change: will the recent oil spill increase Obama’s chances of passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation?