Overview

""Testifying before Congress is like getting a root canal,"" former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels once said-""only more painful."" Today, that pain is compounded by partisan theatrics, social media grandstanding, and the risk of public shaming. In this high-stakes environment, saying the wrong thing before a congressional committee can damage not only your message, but your reputation. The second edition of Testifying Before Congress is the definitive guide to preparing for and navigating the modern congressional hearings process. Drawing on more than four decades of experience on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and as a private-sector lobbyist and attorney, William LaForge offers an up-to-date, practical roadmap for anyone called to testify before Congress-and for those helping to prepare them. LaForge explains the rules, rituals, and real-world dynamics of hearings, offering tested strategies for crafting written statements, delivering oral testimony, and fielding questions. He demystifies the process while acknowledging the stark changes of recent years: more partisan posturing, fewer expert witnesses, and growing public disillusionment. Despite this shift, congressional hearings remain a vital tool of democratic governance-and this book equips witnesses to make their voice count. A must-read reference for public officials, business leaders, nonprofit advocates, attorneys, academics, and anyone engaging with Congress, Testifying Before Congress combines insider insight with timeless advice.

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William N. LaForge is a retired attorney, university president, lobbyist, and congressional staff member. He served as chief counsel and chief of staff to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, legislative assistant to Congressman David Bowen, and congressional liaison for the Peace Corps. In the private sector, he managed law firm offices in Washington, DC, specializing in federal government relations. A former adjunct professor at George Washington and Georgetown Universities, he has taught law and public policy around the world. He served as president of Delta State University from 2013 to 2022.

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