Meeting with a Member
of Congress
A personal meeting with your Member of Congress can be very useful.
Members and staff meet with constituents every day. Visiting a Member
provides a personal touch, an opportunity for questions, and immediate
feedback. Consider inviting the Member to your laboratory, office, or
special function. Some guidelines for an effective meeting are:
- Schedule your meeting at least three to four weeks in advance by calling
the Member's appointments scheduler. The U.S. Capitol switchboard
number is 202-224-3121.
- In making your appointment, state who will be attending and the purpose
of the visit. Be prepared to offer alternative dates. Consider meeting
the Member in his or her local office, where there are fewer distractions
and a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Many of the guidelines for writing to a Member
of Congress are applicable
to appointments. Prepare your presentation as follows:
- Be informed about relevant legislation.
- Provide a brief, nontechnical explanation of the issue, avoiding jargon
and abbreviations.
- Choose a spokesperson (preferably a constituent) and a common strategy
if coming in a group. Members' offices can be small, so limit the size
of your group.
- Bring a visual aid if appropriate. A few well-selected items may be
useful, but resist the temptation to leave a stack of material. Order
free copies of Physics Success Stories through this website.
- Plan on about a 15-minute appointment. Arrive early and depart on time,
thanking the Member for his or her consideration. Leave your business
card.
- Anticipate schedule changes, since committee or floor votes may detain
a Member. A staff assistant will then handle the appointment. These dedicated
assistants are often the most knowledgeable about legislation and can
be very influential.
- Follow up the appointment with a thank you letter briefly reiterating
the purpose of your visit. Invite the Member to call on you for assistance.
For information on your Member of Congress and legislation:
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