As legislative staffers, getting a bill signed into law is only half the battle. The real challenge? Ensuring that law achieves your Member's intended impact when implemented — especially given the added challenges of drafting legislation in a post-Chevron world.
Join the Niskanen Center and POPVOX Foundation for a virtual discussion on how to level up your bill writing before the August recess, and learn about tools you can use to write a great first draft.
This is the fourth event in our series focused on going beyond traditional legislative training to address the critical but often overlooked issues with implementation across the Executive branch. For more information and videos of our previous events, check out The Implementation Gap: Turning Legislative Intent into Executive-Led Outcomes, Tech That Works: Unlocking Better Models for Digital Government, and Closing the Feedback Loop Through Casework.
Why Attend?
Hear from legislative staff who have recently led drafting processes focused on policy implementation up front, amidst the changing dynamics of legislative specificity
Learn about the Niskanen Center’s Legislative Guide and other forthcoming tools that you can use to help to go from great idea to draft bill
Speakers
Marci Harris is the cofounder and CEO of POPVOX and Executive Director of the nonprofit POPVOX Foundation. Marci is passionate about using technology for good and developed the idea for the POPVOX civic technology platform while working as a Congressional staffer with the Ways and Means Health subcommittee from 2008-2010. Marci has rich experience unifying communities, including leading redevelopment in Jackson, Tennessee after a 2003 tornado and advising FEMA and Puerto Rico's government on recovery strategies following the 2018 hurricanes. Marci makes regular contributions to Congressional modernization, testifying before the House Select Committee on Modernization and co-writing tech recommendations for the American Political Science Association's Presidential Task Force. During the pandemic, she guided Congress' adoption of remote technologies and workflows. In 2023, she initiated the first staff level information-sharing sessions around the use of AI in the legislative branch and has become an internationally recognized expert on AI for parliaments. Marci is a lecturer in political science at San Jose State University and adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco. She holds a B.A. from Franklin University Lugano, Switzerland, a J.D. from the University of Memphis, an LL.M. from American University, and has held fellowships at New America and the Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
Marci is a lecturer in political science at San Jose State University and adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco. She holds a B.A. from Franklin University Lugano, Switzerland, a J.D. from the University of Memphis, and an LL.M. from American University.
Amanda Patarino is the Government Affairs Manager for the Niskanen Center's State Capacity Initiative. She is responsible for outreach to Congress and federal agencies on efforts to improve the government’s ability to effectively implement policy objectives and rebuild government capacity.
Prior to joining Niskanen, Amanda was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, serving state and federal agencies on implementation, transformation, and change management efforts. Previously, she worked at the Partnership for Public Service on the Center for Presidential Transition. Amanda earned a Masters of Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics from the Honors College at George Mason University.
Amanda lives in Washington, DC and serves on the boards of the United States Senate Youth Alumni Association and the George Mason Honors College Engaged Alumni Network.
Logan de La Barre-Hays is a seasoned legislative professional currently serving as a member of Chairman Sam Graves's staff on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where she manages a diverse portfolio that includes emergency management, economic development, and public buildings, providing strategic advice and policy direction on these critical issues.
Logan has a robust legislative background, previously serving as Legislative Director for Congressman Garret Graves [R, LA], where she led the development and execution of key initiatives such as the effort to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which culminated in H.R. 82 being signed into law in 2025. She also honed her skills as a Legislative Aide and Speechwriter for Senator John Kennedy (LA). Logan holds a Master of Arts (MA) from Columbia University and a Master of Science (MSc) from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Lauren Gros is a Professional Staff Member for the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings & Emergency Management, where she has served since February 2022. With nearly four years of experience in the U.S. House of Representatives, Lauren previously worked as a Legislative Assistant and Scheduler for Congressman Rick Larsen's office. Lauren holds a graduate degree in Emergency and Crisis Management from the University of Central Florida and gained practical experience in emergency management through her work with Seminole County Government. Her policy background includes experience with the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, where she conducted research on energy and natural resource legislation, staffed committee hearings, and prepared briefing materials.
Additional Resources
About POPVOX Foundation
POPVOX Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with a mission to help democratic institutions keep pace with a rapidly changing world. Through publications, events, prototypes, and technical assistance, the organization helps public servants and elected officials better serve their constituents and make better policy.
About the Niskanen Center
Named “The Most Interesting Think Tank in American Politics” by TIME Magazine in 2023, the Niskanen Center promotes policies that advance prosperity, opportunity, and human flourishing, guided by the belief that a free market and an effective government are mutually dependent.