The legislative process in the U. S. Congress is considered, and personal perspectives on federal/state roles in postsecondary education are offered. Members of the House Committee on Education and Labor are identified, and information is provided about the eight subcommittees. The comparable authorizing committee in the Senate is the Labor and Public Welfare Committee. In the House, three different subcommittees handle the same issues handled by the one Senate subcommittee. The Appropriations Committee handles all spending bills. Both the House and Senate appropriations committees have 13 subcommittees. Specific interactions with respect to authorization or appropriations bills under consideration are described to provide some insight on the legislative process. The following predictions are offered: total dollar support will keep up with inflation at best; few new programs will be enacted and the emphasis will be on student assistance; and there will be continued demands on institutions through exercise of regulatory powers. It is also suggested that there will be an increasing state role in postsecondary education, and that most states should increase support to the private sector. Specific suggestions for state agency strategy include the following: become bipartisan and influence through informal networks; emphasize leadership development for both full-time personnel and nonagency key persons; identify and involve laypersons; and designate one staff person to be accountable for monitoring federal policy process. (SW)