Government Relations

Col SwainCol Swain

Civil Air Patrol

Wing Commanders and Government Relations

John Swain – CAP NHQ Government Relations

Civil Air Patrol

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The Wing Commanders role in government relations is critical to the future of Civil Air Patrol

It is what you do in communities and states everyday that ensures Congress supports our national program to its fullest

Congressman Tip O’Neil observed – “All politics is local”

Civil Air Patrol

Background

• CAP has a special relationship with Congress– Congress recognizes CAP’s extraordinary capabilities– Congress created CAP and maintains an interest in its viability

• The Congressional Squadron has, since 1967, increased CAP’s visibility in Congress

• Over the years, like the National Guard, CAP has developed a close relationship with state congressional delegations

• The focus of CAP is on local communities and states just like your Representatives and Senators

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Civil Air Patrol

Funding History – The Long Haul

Date Event

1940s to 1960s

Very limited funding and CAP used member-owned/excess aircraft• Viet-Nam war dries up the supply of military aircraft

1970s CAP begins to develop a legislative agenda and viable legislation• Congressional Squadron Commander takes on task

1980 CAP Supply Bill enacted but did not provide funding or aircraft• Other non-funding CAP bills follow over next five years

1985 First CAP appropriations buys aircraft and funds major operations• One year later, CAP receives “extra” $7 million for counterdrug

1986 to present

CAP has been consistently funded for O&M and procurement since then• Annual appropriations are now the rule

Funding for Civil Air Patrol

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Civil Air Patrol

Political Situation

• The rules of the game are changing:– No more earmarks– 2011 Budget Control Act means that “adds” must be offset – Many new Members intend to reduce government size and spending– Sequestration, with long-term reductions, went into effect yesterday– Continuing resolutions, which hurt CAP, are being used frequently

• AF continues to fund CAP below the baseline we operate at• Some CAP wings have lost their connection with Congress• All of these negatively impact CAP and its operations

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Civil Air Patrol

Wing Commander Responsibilities and Guidance

• Wing Commanders need to be proactive with their government relations program to be successful

• Appoint a well-qualified Government Relations Advisor• Use your State Legislative Squadron to help your wing• Maintain relationships with key state/congressional officials• Learn who in your wing has access to high level officials• Participate in CAP’s annual Legislative Day • Increase public awareness of CAP in communities – Members

notice what is going on in their districts/states

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Civil Air Patrol

Legislative Day

• We tell CAP’s story including the challenges and issues• We talk about CAP and our wings as well as introduce our

most competent cadets and senior members• We reassure Congress that CAP is spending appropriated

dollars both wisely and appropriately

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In uniform on the Hill, with a couple of hundred volunteers, we are a powerful visual reminder to Congress

and the Air Force that we are a professional organization of “national interest”

Civil Air Patrol

Specific Legislative Day Responsibilities

• Every wing needs to participate fully in Legislative Day• Ensure that the right members of your staff are involved• Learn what committees your congressional representatives

serve on• Make sure that you are meeting with Members of Congress

who impact CAP’s future (i.e., Defense Appropriations)• Make Leg Day appointments early, in January if possible

– Provide copies of your appointment to NHQ ASAP

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Civil Air Patrol

National Staff Perspective

• Call us for advice and guidance anytime• National State Legislative Officer position was just advertised• We are looking at new support and training opportunities

– “Government relations in a box” to support commanders and GRAs– An online government relations webpage– One/two day training at the summer Command Council meeting

• CAP needs high-quality photos of its operations– Especially of missions like Hurricane Sandy for high-level briefings

where a picture is truly worth a thousand words

• Your direct involvement can help ensure that we get the appropriations we need and the CGM our veterans deserve

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Civil Air Patrol

Current Situation – Appropriations

• Sequestration has started– Impacts being next month but CAP does not know the impact

• Continuing Resolution runs until March 27– Calls for CAP to receive only $22.3M, 5.5M less than last year– The CR may be extended for a full year

• Sequestration and a continuing resolution combined could, in the worse case, be devastating for CAP

• During Leg Day several key Members of Congress expressed interest and pledged support

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Civil Air Patrol

Current Situation – Congressional Gold Medal

• Cosponsors– HR 755 – 41 or 14 percent of our goal– S 309 – 6 or 9 percent of our goal– Full results from Leg Day may not be known until March 8

• Competitor bills– House – 9– Senate – 3– House rules call for only two bills per year

• Time is quickly running out– Please follow-up with anyone you asked to cosponsor– Wings need to follow-up, not NHQ (hearing from a constituent counts)

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Civil Air Patrol

Why Is This Important

• Most of CAP’s funding is through Congress• Funding process has changed to our detriment• President’s budget request is for less than is needed• Continuing resolutions underfund CAP• Sequestration and defense reductions will also impact us• CAP’s future depends, in part, on you establishing a viable

government relations program

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Wing Commanders can have tremendous influence on the course of their wings and the future of CAP through

their political relationships

Civil Air Patrol

Colonel John Swain at dcoffice.cap@verizon.net

Any questions?

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