Many constituents contact my office when they have a problem with an agency of the federal government -- such as not receiving a Social Security check, a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service, or a problem with their Veterans benefits. Seven caseworkers in my offices are assigned to more than 44 different federal agencies to try to solve problems brought to our attention.  If you have a problem with a federal agency, please contact me and my staff will try to help.

One of the most important constituent services offered by my office is assisting Californians in dealing with federal agencies.   My staff is dedicated to helping individuals with their problems with any federal entity ranging from the Department of Agriculture to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Social Security Administration.

Due to federal privacy laws, I must receive a written request from you in order to contact an agency on your behalf.  This request may be made either by sending a letter requesting my assistance and outlining your problem, or you may fill out the Casework Authorization Form. Please send either the letter or the form to my San Francisco office. Once written authorization has been received, you will receive a letter of acknowledgment giving you the name of the staff member assigned to your case.  If the matter is time sensitive, please fax us (415/393-0710) at our San Francisco office so that we can expedite your processing.

• I am from a local government, private company, or organization that would like to request  information on the grant process and how I may obtain Senator Feinstein's  support on obtaining a grant. How do I do this?

One of the best ways local governments and agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations can fund projects is through federal grants, which do not have to be repaid.  Each year, federal agencies offer grants for programs ranging from child immunizations to retrofitting bridges against earthquake damage. But as we all know, the process can be rather  tedious.  Grant proposals to me are competitive in nature and I can in no way influence the decision of the Federal entity involved. Grant proposals must be submitted in writing to my staff in Washington, D.C.   The number there is 202/224-3841. If appropriate, a grant support letter from me is sent to the Federal entity giving the grant.

• I would like to request the Senator to nominate a friend or family member who is a high school student to one of the four military academies - Army, Navy, Air Force  and Merchant Marine.  How can I do this?

I know that are many proud parents out there, but I ask that the high school candidate to call for themselves.  Since the process is very competitive and there is a limited number of students I can nominate, my staff and I want to be sure that the student fully wants to undertake this process.   Once the student contacts me, a military academy coordinator from my San Francisco office will send an application packet out to the student. The process and deadlines are clearly outlined in the process.

• How much are Senators paid?

$158,100 as of March 2004.

• How many female Senators are there?

Fourteen. They are Senators Barbara Boxer (D-California), Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina) Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and myself.

• How do I access the texts of bills, statements, or resolutions on Internet?

You can access all statements, bill texts, and resolutions by going to Thomas, the official site of the U.S. Congress.  If you have trouble locating a document that you are looking for please call my Washington office at 202/224-3841.

• What is an appropriation?

The funding of government agencies and programs or the granting of money – but not always all of which is contained in the authorization. Appropriations bills originate in the House.

• What is an authorization?

The act of establishing a program and setting its general level of funding.  The process of authorization must be followed by that of an appropriation before a program can go into effect.  There are often great disparities between what is authorized and what is eventually appropriated.

• What is a balanced budget?

A budget in which income equals or exceeds spending. Most states require balanced budgets, but the federal government does not.

• What does "inside the Beltway" mean?

The "Beltway" is the name for the interstate highway that rings the city of Washington as it runs through the inner suburbs of Virginia and Maryland.   It often refers to a state of mind found within the area outlined by the highway.

• What is a budget agreement?

A complex accord between Congress and the White House to reduce deficit spending over a five year period. The 1990 agreement set ceilings for major funding categories that could be breached only by raising taxes. The Balanced Budget agreement for 1997 set the parameters for a balanced budget.

• What is a budget resolution?

Concurrent resolution, not a law, setting out the congressional spending priorities for the next five fiscal years.

• What is a censure?

The act of disciplining a fellow member through a vote of disapproval or condemnation.  This may be a reprimand, severe reprimand, censure, condemnation, or expulsion.  The Constitution specifies that each house may "punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member."

• What is cloture?

Cloture is the process by which debate can be limited in the Senate without unanimous consent. When invoked by roll call vote – three-fifths of those present and voting – it limits each senator to one hour of debate. Perhaps because it sounds more like a medical than a political term, it is seldom used outside of Congress and government textbooks.

• What is a conference committee?

Panel of members from both houses, usually key members of the committees that handled the bill under consideration, given the job of working out a compromise between the usually different versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate.

• What is discretionary spending?

Spending that is not guaranteed by entitlements. This increasingly shrinking authority was split into three categories – defense, domestic, and international – by the 1990 budget agreement.

• What is the electoral college?

The body of presidential electors, equal in number to each state's representation in Congress, as chosen by the voters in presidential elections. It takes 270 votes in the electoral college to become president.

• What are entitlements?

Programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans' benefits, that must be provided to all eligible persons who seek them, with the added assurance of legal recourse if they are not.

• What is a filibuster?

To delay or stop action on a bill in the Senate through constant talking.  Or a long speech or series of speeches used to delay or stop action on a bill by consuming large blocks of time. This time-honored delaying tactic is almost always employed by the minority to defeat a measure favored by the majority.  Some have so refined the art of the filibuster that the mere threat of staging one can kill a bill or sidetrack it.  It takes 60 votes to stop a filibuster, and if a bill's sponsor cannot round them up, they are often forced to make a number of deals before having the bill considered.

• Why is Senator Feinstein considered California's "Senior Senator" when she was first elected at the same year as Senator Barbara Boxer?

Senators Feinstein and Boxer were elected in 1992 together.  But Senator Feinstein was elected to fill the seat of then-Senator Pete Wilson who became California governor.  Senator Feinstein was sworn into office a few days after the 1992 November election while Senator Boxer was sworn in January of 1993.

• What is an omnibus bill?

Any piece of proposed legislation that deals with a wide variety of subjects.  Today, the term is used mostly to describe a mammoth bill such as a continuing resolution, which is usually used at the end of the legislative session to package many bills together.  This is usually done with spending bills.

• What is a quorum call?

A demand that the members present be counted to see if a quorum is present.  Most quorum calls in the Senate are actually used to delay proceedings until a deal can be worked out or until a tardy speaker can get to the floor.  Anyone may be set a quorum call in motion, usually by saying "I suggest the absence of a quorum."

• What is a veto?

To reject legislation. In the context of Congress, this term refers to the right of the president to reject a bill that has been passed by both houses of Congress.  Two-thirds votes are required by Congress to overcome a presidential veto.