Advising congressional decision‐makers: Guidelines for economists

Economists have less influence on congressional decision‐making than they might because they do not make a sufficient effort to learn how issues look from the politicians' point of view. Politics and economics are inextricably connected in congressional decision‐making. For those economists who are willing to try to bridge the gap between economists and Politicians, the article suggests ten guidelines: (1) learn about the history of the issue; (2) find out who will be making the decision, (3) timing is critical; (4) learn everyone's interests and arguments; (5) it's OK to think like an economist, but don't write like one; (6) keep it simple; (7) congressmen care more about distribution than efficiency; (8) take implementation and administration into account; (9) emphasize a few crucial and striking numbers; and (10) read the newspapers.