Tom Graves: RSC 2.0

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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.