Washington, DC:A Spine Tingling Experience

By Terry Garrison

A group of sixteen Chamber members from Anderson, Clemson and Easley just recently returned from a trip to Washington, DC. For the past nine years, a group from this area has traveled to Washington to meet with our congressional delegation. For the past three years Terry Garrison of Garrison Business and Tax Service has chaired the committee, which planned the trip and chose topics of discussion with the Senators and congressmen.

The first day was a full day of meetings beginning with Judy Schneider. Ms. Schneider has been working on Capital Hill for 37 years teaching freshman congressmen how congress works. 10,000 bills are presented to congress each year and only about 300 will become law. Rick Atkins, with Congressman Jeff Duncan’s office, spoke on the workings of the Congressman’s office and a typical day in Washington. Joshua Gross, Legislative Director for Congressman Duncan spoke on the debt ceiling and how it affects our economy. Peter Van Doren who is a Senior Fellow and Editor with the Cato Institute spoke on various regulations going through Congress. Richard Perry, Chief of Staff with Senator Graham’s office spoke on health care. Tim Charter with the Natural Resources Committee spoke on energy and our need as a nation to use but protect our natural resources. James Sherk, Senior Policy Analyst with the Heritage Foundation spoke on labor issues. He talked about the labor issues with Boeing and its entrance into the South Carolina labor market. After the long day, the group was free to sightsee for the evening. The second day was at the Capital Visitor’s Center for a full tour of the capital and going to the floor of the House of Representatives.