The overriding goal of ASME emphasizes the engineer’s responsibility to the public interest.  Engineers contribute to the policy making process by providing government decision makers with technical information needed to make the most informed decisions on technical and related issues.  ASME’s government relations activities prepare and enable the Society’s members to provide all levels of government with this essential guidance.  Under the direction of the Board on Government Relations, ASME conducts programs to facilitate participation in the public policy process through presentation of non-partisan analysis, study, or research; informal briefings for government personnel; formal comment on proposed legislation and regulations; and testimony before government bodies.

Individual members of the Society also have the opportunity to compete for federal government relations fellowships, which enrich their own personal development while providing their technical expertise to the federal government .  Each year, members are selected to serve for one year as the professional staff of a U.S. Senator or Representative, a Congressional Committee, with a federal agency such as the Department of Homeland Security, or with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.  In addition to conducting research, federal fellows may draft bills, respond to information requests from legislators, and give presentations to legislative groups. 

Congressional District town hall-style meetings provide ASME members an unique opportunity to interact directly with their Members of Congress to discuss public policy issues relevant to engineering, science and technology. At receptions following the formal programs, ASME members can meet one-on-one with their Congressional representatives.

ASME’s Congressional Noontime Briefings inform Congressional staff about the engineering, science and technology aspects of current public policy issues, and increases awareness among Congressional staff of ASME as a credible source of technical information.  The briefings examine a broad set of topics with a distinguished speaker or panel of speakers presenting to attendees. Speakers include representatives from industry, academia, and government.

ASME leads a multidisciplinary society Engineering R&D Symposium each year, which brings together leaders from the engineering community for an intensive, two-day meeting with federal lawmakers, academia and industry leaders and other renowned experts. Representatives of the engineering community gain firsthand knowledge of the Administration's R&D priorities and the potential impact of the President's fiscal year budget request on the science, engineering and technology community.

The Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) program offers an unique opportunity to third or fourth year engineering students to spend the summer in Washington, D.C. Through meetings and discussions with prominent engineers and government officials, the student examines a public policy issue of concern to engineering and prepares a research paper for publication.

Further information about ASME’s public affairs activities, and copies of position statements referenced on the Agenda are available by contacting the Washington Center, or on the Internet at www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/GovRelations/

The Public Policy Agenda of ASME reflects many of the public policy concerns of various Society groups and leaders.  It does not preclude adjustments during the next two years as public policy circumstances warrant.  However, ASME expects to give the issues in this agenda special attention during the 110th Congress, which convenes in January 2007.