Communicating With Congress - Meeting With a Member of Congress

“Clearly, this is a time of great challenge for science and technology in America. But, I believe we can seize this time as one of opportunity to work together in ways we have never done before, to raise our voices, together, to send out a clear and coherent message. This is not the time to plead for biology vs. chemistry or astronomy vs. engineering, or even basic vs. applied research or technology. It’s a time to speak out about the importance of the Federal investment in science and technology, in research and education, in universities, in national laboratories and other institutions -- and in the partnerships that have been formed with industry and other sectors that use the knowledge and technologies for the public good....” -- National Science Foundation Director Neal Lane, January 15, 1996

MEETING WITH A MEMBER OF CONGRESS:

A personal visit with your Member of Congress can be very useful. Members and staff meet with constituents every day. Visiting with 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 appointments scheduler. The U.S. Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121; operators will connect you with a specific office.

In making your appointment, state who will be attending and the purpose of the visit. Be prepared to offer alternative dates. Consider meeting with the Member in his/her local office, where there is a more relaxed atmosphere and fewer distractions.

Prepare your presentation as follows:

Be informed about relevant legislation (you may contact fyi@aip.org for assistance.)

Be ready to provide a brief, nontechnical explanation of the issue, avoiding jargon and abbreviations.

If coming as a group, select a spokesperson and a common strategy.

If appropriate, bring a visual aid. A few well-selected items may be useful, but resist the temptation to bring a stack of material. Contact AIP for physics-related hand-out material.

Plan on about a 15-minute appointment. Arrive early and depart on time, thanking the Member for his/her consideration.

Follow-up the appointment with a thank you letter briefly reiterating the purpose of your visit.

Anticipate schedule changes, since a Member may be detained by committee or floor votes. In this case, a staff assistant will handle the appointment. These dedicated assistants are often the most knowledgeable about legislation, and can be very influential.