Basics on Educating Members of Congress

1
Basics on Educating Members of Congress

• Joann Boughman, PhD
• Executive Vice President
• American Society of Human Genetics

2
Congress

• House of Representatives
• Each state is divided up into districts based on
  population
• One representative from each district
• 435 representatives
• Elected for 2-year terms

• Senate
• Two senators from each state
• 100 senators
• Elected for 6-year terms, 1/3 elected every two
  years

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LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
YOUR ROLE
House/Senate
1. Elect officials to represent you in Congress.
2. Contact elected officials in Congress about
issues of concern to you.
3. Lobby committee members to move the bill.
4. Submit testimony from your view on the bill.
Committee
5. Lobby committee members to move the bill
through the committee.
6. Lobby elected officials in Congress to move
the bill through Congress.
7. Repeat steps 2-6.
If differences in versions
8. Encourage elected officials in Congress to
vote for the bill.
9. Encourage the president to vote for the bill.
4
Connect with Congress

• Visit members of Congress in Washington, DC or in
  district offices.
• Call members of Congress.
• Write to members of Congress via fax, email, or
  postal mail.

5
The Staff and your task

• Staffers Advocates
• Very bright Use teachable moment
• Often young Be respectful
• Busy Stories and people stand out
• Influential Make message clear

6
Visiting Members of Congress

• Before the meeting
• Plan your appearance.
• Have reasonable expectations.
• Know your talking points.
• Have a clear goal.
• Prepare your presentation.
• Produce written materials.

7
Visiting Members of Congress

• During the meeting
• Thank the staffer for meeting with you.
• Introduce yourself and your organization.
• Explain your issue of concern. Include a
  personal illustration.
• Ask the staffer to advise the member of Congress
  to take action on the issue.
• Present the staffer with briefing materials and
  thank him/her again.

8
Visiting Members of Congress

• After the meeting
• Write a thank you note to the staffer reiterating
  your interest in the member of Congress support
  on the issue.
• Stay in touch with staff about issues that are
  important to you.

9
Be Ps Please

• Be passionate
• Be persuasive
• Be picturesque
• Be precise
• Be punctual

10
Remember!

• You elect members of Congress and they are
  accountable to you.
• You can make a difference!