The Policy Process
 

These resources will help you learn the nuts and bolts of the federal policy process. How are laws made? How are budgets decided? Who are the key players and what are their roles?
 

• Policy 101
• Congressional Research Service, "American National Government: An Overview"
• Congressional Research Service, "Introduction to the Federal Budget Process"
• Higgins, P., "How to engage Congress"
• Tyler, C., "Top 20 things scientists need to know about policy-making"

Suggested Reading

This is a short list of additional readings about federal science policy. There is a lot of quality scholarship about science policy, and this list reflects only a small portion of it.  
 

• Prewitt, K., T.A. Schwandt, M.L. Straf (Ed.s), "Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy"
• Neal, H., T. Smith, J. McCormick, U.S. Science Policy in the 21st Century
• Smith, B., et al, "Navigating the Rules of Scientific Engagement"
• White, K. and J. Carney, Working with Congress: A Scientist's Guide to Policy

Science Communication Resources

These resources will help you develop your science communication skills and develop your own strategy for engaging in the policy realm.
 

• Higgins, P., "Develop your own strategy for engagement"
• Leopold Leadership Program: Communications
• AGU: Sharing Science
• UCS Science Network: Science Communication
• COMPASS Blog

Science Policy News

These are a few sources for news specific to science policy. You can also keep tabs on the science section of your preferred newspaper or news site, and follow your institution's press releases and newsletters.
 

• UCAR Government Relations
• AIP Bulletin of Science Policy News
• COL Ocean Policy and Legislation
• AAAS News - select "Science Policy" as the Topic