Over the course of my career, the Wonk has attended countless Congressional hearing and put together some sixty or more hearings for the Federal agencies I for whom I worked.  

What does a good hearing look like?  Is it important to ask questions?  

Why does it matter anyway?  

Let your old buddy, the Wonk, answer these questions!!

Whether it’s a Congressional hearing or one sponsored by a Federal agency—virtually every hearing has a star witness—perhaps two.  These are individuals with a great deal of information about the topic at hand—whatever that may be.  

Your star witness may be a preeminent expert on global warming or the education of bilingual children.

Typically—though not always—these lead witnesses can clearly define the issues and thus set the stage for a terrific hearing.  

This does not always pan out.  Sometimes, those who you thought were terrificturn out to be a nightmare because they’re prone to stage fright!  

They know their areas of expertise cold—but they clam up or worse they read every word of their testimony in a monotone. You know you’re in trouble when your boss keeps glancing at his watch!

For Congressional hearings, there are other factors to consider.  Often the Chair and/or Ranking Minority member will have witnesses from their districts who they want to introduce at the hearing.

This always looks good to their constituents!  After agreeing to the VIP witnesses, Hill staff must then build out the rest of the hearing as best they can!  

Committee staff should vet all witnesses to assure their knowledge of the topic.

Agency hearings are not much different except that there’s less pressure to take so-called VIP witnesses.  

On the other hand, it’s still important that witnesses have a clear grasp of the issues.  All witnesses should have a working knowledge of the topic at hand. (While this may seem obvious, you’d be astounded at how many witnesses the Wonk has talked to who haven’t even read the proposed regulation!)

Once you have a decent hearing put together—at least on paper—you must then turn to drafting questions to ask witnesses.  This is a golden opportunity to make a particular point OR to clarify a murky issue.  

To some, this may seem like grand-standing.  Yet it is these kinds of questions which lead to the development of thoughtful public policy.

Finally, I good public hearing gives voice to divergent views.  The Wonk firmly believes that this is the hallmark of any decent hearing.

No matter if you are planning a Congressional hearing on a really difficult matter to be address OR you’re putting together a small hearing of little consequence one thing is certain: something will happen that you neither planned for nor expected.  

Your star witness turns out not be quite the bright light you thought or a member of Congress misunderstands a critical point completely or Members will need to go to the House or Senate floors for multiple votes leaving a well-planned hearing in ruins!   

Trust me, there are a million and one ways to derail a good hearing!

At the end of the day, a good hearing—be it Congressional or other—should lead to the development of thoughtful public policy!

I hope that you enjoyed this article.  

The Wonk is on a trip west to enjoy mountains and sleep and best of all, great-niece and nephew!!   I will be checking in next week from the road.

Till then, Happy Reading!!