It's All Who You Know When Working the System Here's How to Get to Know the Right People With the Tea Party wind in their sails, Republicans blew back into power in a big way in this year. The 2010 mid-term elections saw the GOP win the House of Representatives and claim a bigger margin in the Senate, prompting President Obama to acknowledge responsibility for what he called the "shellacking" Democrats took at the polls. Along with renewed introspection from the White House and Democrats on the Hill, the changes sparked bitter intramural battles among Republicans for committee leadership posts. The new House majority also set in motion fundamental organizational changes to committees, and sweeping legislative initiatives aimed at rolling back the Obama administration agenda. Meanwhile, working behind the scenes to write bills, map out legislative maneuvers and block the opposing party's political moves are hundreds of Capitol Hill staffers. Some old, many new, congressional aides on both sides of the aisle are playing a vital role in the 112th Congress. The fast-paced changes in the legislative landscape can be daunting. But there's one place you can always count on to tell you who's in, who's out, and who is the most effective person to address your cause: The Almanac of the Unelected. While members of the House of Representatives and the Senate enact laws, it is often their staffers who exert the greatest influence in the lawmaking process. Staffers advise their elected bosses, establish political positions on issues, craft legislation, put policies in place, and play important roles on scores of congressional committees. Now in its 23rd year, the Almanac of the Unelected contains in-depth profiles on key congressional staff members that you will not find elsewhere. In addition to contact information and other pertinent data, the Almanac is constantly updating itself to give you the inside track. Our writers conduct one-on-one interviews with congressional staffers to make sure you know precisely which issues they are handle and what bills will pass their desks each year as they help to craft new or refine the existing laws and codes that govern our nation. With all the sweeping changes that have taken place since the mid-term elections, this essential resource has never been more important or more valuable. The Almanac of the Unelected is the leading source for information on congressional staff members. The profiles included feature: - in-depth biographical information - detailed professional history and educational background - staff members' areas of expertise and committee role - up-to-date contact information and photograph, when available - staffers' own insights as to their committee's priorities and special projects during this session of Congress Organized by House, Senate, and Joint committee assignments, you'll find both the person you're looking for and information on his or her individual impact on legislation and decision-making. With this Almanac, you'll never again need to question who is the most effective person to advocate your cause.