Using the August Reset to Your Advantage

It’s the most wonderful time of year in DC when lawmakers and staff get to take a deep breath, reset, and head back to their states and districts. It’s a time to catch up on projects, evaluate strategies, deepen relationships, and brace yourself for a busy fall. Here are three things to be thinking about over the next month:

(1) Focusing on face time back home. Constituents get priority in the August recess. This is a chance to show off a new park, building, or public space and raise issues facing your organization. Don’t just focus on elected officials. Getting key DC staff to visit your organization can also be incredibly beneficial while they spend time in the state.

(2) Plan for the long game, not just September. While we will once again have a hectic September, there will be many other priorities that will need to get done over the next one to three years, when the foundation needs to be built now. Whether it’s the Farm Bill, a new authorization package, NDAA, or FY27 appropriations, it’s never too early to start developing a plan.

(3) Reconnect with coalitions and stakeholders. Without the fly-ins, committee hearings, and floor action, there’s a lot more time to meet with stakeholders working on aligned policies. This is a time to strategize with new and old partners on how to coordinate actions and messages before Congress returns in September.

August can be a great time to reset strategy, build new relationships, and set yourself up for success for ae busy remainder of the year.