Q & A on Communicating with Congress

My member of Congress rarely agrees with me on the issues and almost never votes the way FCNL recommends. Why keep writing? Your role may be all the more important because your member of Congress does not agree with you. Keep writing, and seek out others in your community who may be identified as community leaders that may also be willing to communicate with your members of Congress.

Look and listen for openings to start a conversation: Positions do change, but often not as fast as we at FCNL would like. Continue to engage your member of Congress on the big issues, while recognizing small steps she or he may take.

Try another issue: FCNL lobbyists regularly find members of Congress who don’t agree with FCNL’s position that the U.S. needs to withdraw from Iraq but are interested in how green building technology can cut energy consumption without costing an arm and a leg. Some members of Congress who are strong supporters of tax cuts are also among the most effective opponents of illegal government spying. Don’t abandon your principles or focus but do seek out areas of common interest where you might be able to start a conversation.

My member of Congress already supports most of FCNL’s positions. Should I still write regularly?

Yes. Remember that your representative is undoubtedly hearing from others in the district who do not support his or her position. Additionally, members of Congress often hear complaints, but rarely hear a thank you from constituents. Your letters, emails, and visits provide your senators and representative with the strength to continue to speak out effectively.

Do your homework: Members of Congress sit on different committees and become experts on different issues. Find out what committees of Congress your senators and representative sit on and then consider focusing on the issue where your members can make the most difference. Consider signing up to receive FCNL’s regular, specialized email reports on issues where your member of Congress can make a real difference.

Encourage bipartisan action: FCNL’s strength has been the combination of a prophetic witness for the world we seek and a focus on encouraging members of Congress to build bipartisan coalitions to effectively change policy on nuclear weapons, funding for the United Nations, and other issues. Ask your members of Congress what efforts they are making to build a bipartisan consensus to change policy on key issues of concern to you and your community.

When I write to my member of Congress, I usually get a form letter. Often the letter doesn’t appear to respond directly to the email or letter I sent to my member of Congress.

Congressional offices receive tens of thousands of emails, letters, and other communications every week. No member of Congress reads even a small percentage of the letters sent to him or her. But persuading staff that they need to develop a new form letter on an issue is a good way of encouraging a policy discussion within a congressional office.

The next step is to respond to the form letter with more detailed questions and more about yourself. Consider also following these steps request a meeting with your member of Congress or with congressional staff to discuss the issue.

Being Heard on the Hill; Tips from Staffers

“You want to make it as simple and straightforward for us as possible. Don’t assume that we know every single acronym or every single organization in a district or about a certain topic... Make it easy for us to understand and see if we have any questions about the topic.” – a staffer for a House member from Utah

“If you have a half hour with a staffer, that’s great. Sometimes you’ll get five minutes. So you’ve got to have a half-hour version of your argument [and a three-minute version]. So you’ve got to know: what are the points that have to be covered? What is essential to your conversation?” – An aide to a House member

“When I was lobbying we had what we called “onepagers.” Here’s all the information you need to know about this issue on one page, front and back. As a staffer I keep those one= pagers”- An aide to a member from California