3-Minute Interview: Jerry Hartz
By: Susan Ferrechio
Chief Congressional Correspondent
March 9, 2009
Jerry Hartz is the director of floor operations for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. If you tune in to C-SPAN, he can often be seen hurrying around the House Chamber, roster in hand, helping to manage the flow of legislation. The Arlington resident got his start in Congress in 1987 in the office of then-Chief Deputy Whip David Bonior, for whom he also helped manage the floor.
How do describe your job?
Speaker Pelosi is in charge of the floor and oversees everything that goes on there. She determines the floor schedule and oversees the House Rules Committee and she puts people in the chair to preside over the chamber. As director of floor operations, I’m her staff person who advises and assists her in carrying that out, sort of like the gatekeeper for the floor.
What is a typical day like?
It’s very much the same and very much different ... I am always forward-thinking and always trying to plan ahead for what is coming. Is it ready for the floor? Do we have the votes? Are we protecting ourselves from the attacks of a determined minority? How does it look [to those watching the floor action on television]?
What is different about doing your job for the majority versus the minority?
In the majority it is really important to count votes, and in the minority it was really important to throw monkey wrenches. In the House, everything is so much under the control of the majority and it starts right at the speaker and all that controls. That is an awesome responsibility, but it’s managing all that. When you are in the minority ... you are not going to get your best political amendments. It’s using whatever minimal tools there are permitted in the House rules to make your voice heard and differentiate yourself and convince the public you stand up for certain principles and ideas.
What do you find most rewarding about the job?
It’s like having a seat at history being made. It’s helping in a small way to make a difference and watch really big decisions being made about things that matter a lot to the country and the world.
