Sowing the Seeds of Grassroots:Contacting Congress

Presented by Sarah Holstine, Legislative Specialist2009 NARFE Legislative Training Conference

Why Contact Members of Congress?

Credit: The smallest Senate page and the largest Capitol police officer, 1940. [Senate Historical Office] http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/slideshow/capitol_scenes.jsp?Counter=12

Why Contact Members of Congress?

Credit: The smallest Senate page and the largest Capitol police officer, 1940. [Senate Historical Office] http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/slideshow/capitol_scenes.jsp?Counter=12

Why You Should Contact Congress

• All Politics Are LocalAll Politics Are Local• Over-estimation of Over-estimation of

Lobbyists’ cloutLobbyists’ clout• Under Appreciation of Under Appreciation of

GrassrootsGrassroots• You Have the NumbersYou Have the Numbers• You VoteYou Vote

Credit: James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960)I Want You for theU.S. Army

Lithograph, 1917

To Contact Congress!

Article One: Congress Can . . .

• Collect taxes• Borrow money• Regulate commerce with nations and among

the states• Establish a post office• Declare war• Raise and support an army• Make “all laws which shall be necessary and

proper” to execute these powers

Congress’ Structure: Where the Power Is

• Bi-Cameral Institution– House: 435 Voting Members (6 Non-voting)

• 111th Congress: 254 Dem; 178 Rep (3 Vacancies)

– Senate: 100 Members • 111th Congress: 56 Dem; 2 Indep; 41 Rep (1 contested)

• Political Leadership

House Political LeadershipSpeaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi (CA-8) Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer (MD-5)Majority Whip: James Clyburn (SC-6)Democratic Caucus Chair: John Larson (CT-1)Dem. Caucus Vice Chair: Xavier Becerra (CA-31)DCCC Chair and Special Assistant to the Speaker: Chris Van Hollen (MD-8)Democratic Steering Policy Committee Co-Chairs:

George Miller (CA-7) and Rosa DeLauro (CT-3)

Minority Leader: John Boehner (OH-8)Minority Whip: Eric Cantor (VA-7)Chief Deputy Whip: Kevin McCarthy (CA-22)Republican Conference Chair: Mike Pence (IN-6)Republican Conference Vice-Chair: Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (WA-5)Republican Policy Committee Chair: Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11)Republican Congressional Campaign Committee: Pete Sessions (TX-32)

Senate Political LeadershipMajority Leader and Democratic Conference Chair: Harry Reid (NV)Majority Whip: Dick Durbin (IL)Democratic Conference Vice Chair: Charles Schumer (NY)Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair: Robert Menendez (NJ)Democratic Conference Secretary: Patty Murray (WA)Democratic Policy Committee Chair: Byron Dorgan (ND)Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair: Debbie Stabenow (MI)

Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell (KY)Minority Whip: Jon Kyl (AZ)Republican Conference Chair: Lamar Alexander (TN)Republican Policy Committee Chair: John Ensign (NV)Republican Conference Vice Chair: John Thune (SD)Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair: John Cornyn (TX)

Congress’ Structure

• Bi-Cameral Institution– House: 435 Voting Members (6 Non-voting)

• 111th Congress: 254 Dem; 178 Rep (3 Vacancies)

– Senate: 100 Members • 111th Congress: 56 Dem; 2 Indep; 41 Rep (1 contested)

• Leadership• Committees

– Jurisdiction– Chairs and Ranking Members

Committees: Jurisdiction• The House Budget Committee and the Senate Budget

Committee are responsible for drafting Congress’ annual budget plan, monitoring action on the budget for the Federal Government, and has jurisdiction over the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

• The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have jurisdiction over all tax matters, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and some other entitlements. Premium Conversion and GPO/WEP legislation is heard in these committees.

• The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have jurisdiction over civil service issues, including federal employee and annuitant retirement and health benefits

Committees: Chairs & Ranking Members

• House Budget Committee– Chair: John M. Spratt (D-SC-5) Ranking: Paul D. Ryan (R-WI-1)

• Senate Budget Committee– Chair: Kent Conrad (D-ND) Ranking: Judd Gregg (R-NH)

• House Ways and Means Committee– Chair: Charles Rangel (D-NY-15) Ranking: Dave Camp (R-MI-4)

• Senate Finance Committee– Chair: Max Baucus (D-MT) Ranking: Charles Grassley

(R-IA)

• House Oversight and Government Reform– Chair: Edolphus Towns (D-NY-10)Ranking: Darrell Issa (R-CA-49)

• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs– Chair: Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT) Ranking: Susan Collins (R-ME)

How a Bill Becomes a Law

• Legislation Can Start in Either House– Except for Taxes (and Appropriations)

How a Bill Becomes a Law

• Legislation Can Start in Either House– Except for Taxation (and Appropriations)

• House of Representatives is Body of Majority

• Senate is Body of Minority

Role of Offices and Staff• Hill vs. District vs. Campaign• Key Staff

Capitol Hill District/State Offices -- Chief of Staff -- District/State Director -- Scheduler -- Caseworker -- Press Secretary -- Outreach -- Legislative Director -- Staff Assistant -- Legislative Assistant -- Intern -- Legislative Correspondent -- Staff Assistant -- Intern

Communicating with Congress

• Main ways to communicate– In Person– Phone– Letters– E-Mail

• Changing Nature of Technology and Security

• Contact YOUR Member of Congress

Congressional Office Record Keeping

• When you make a contact, it is Recorded

• Your Contacts Matter– Are Read, Counted, Etc.

• Prioritize Your Issues• Don’t Over “Contact”

General Things to Know• The Legislation

– Bill Numbers– Co-Sponsors

Thomas

The Legislative Action Center

General Things to Know• The Legislation

– Bill Numbers– Co-Sponsors

• Census statistics

Census Data

General Things to Know• The Legislation

– Bill Numbers– Co-Sponsors

• Census statistics• General Rules

– Be Yourself– Be Polite– Become a Resource– Work with Staff

Scheduling a Meeting

• How (Contact Scheduler)• Who (will be at meeting)• What (is the meeting about)• Where (do you want to meet)• When (do you want to meet)

Take Advantage of Recesses

• Why (do you want to meet)• Be Flexible• Using a 3rd Party

Source: Senate Sergeant at Arms Charles Higgins turns forward the Ohio Clock for the first Daylight Saving Time, while Senators William Calder (NY), William Saulsbury, Jr. (DE), and Joseph T. Robinson (AR) look on, 1918. [Senate Historical Office] http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/slideshow/capitol_scenes.jsp?Counter=4

Before Your Meeting

• Do Your Research– Review and Organize Arguments for and against our legislation

– Previous Experiences with Legislator• Have they co-sponsored our Bills? What committees is (s)he on?

• The Pre-Meeting Meeting– Who is going and Who is Speaking on What Issues

– What is the purpose of the meeting? What are your goals?

– What Issues/Legislation will be Discussed (No more than 3)

• Prepare Materials for Legislator (Have your own copy)– NARFE’s Legislative Program

– Talking Points & Issue Papers from NARFE website

The Meeting• Be on Time

– Confirm Appointment Beforehand

• Be Positive and Honest

• Introductions

• Educate Members and Staff with Basic Facts– Avoid abbreviations and/or jargon– Discuss the fundamentals of our legislation– Relate personal stories

The Meeting (Cont.)• Have a Goal and Get a Commitment

– Co-Sponsor Legislation (Have they lapsed?)– Talk to Their Colleagues– Urge Chairmen to set a hearing

• Stay on Topic

• It is okay to say “I Don’t Know”

• Leave Fact Sheets

Meeting Follow-Up

• Send a Thank-You

• Send Promised Information

• Follow-up (politely) on Their Commitment

• Offer Additional Information/Resources

Where Else to Meet Your Member

• Town Hall Meetings

• Community Events

• Fundraisers

• Chance Occurrences

Meeting with Staff

• Always Take the Opportunity

• Often Know More Then Members

• Provides Immediate “IN” in the Office

• Often Go On to Bigger and Better Things(Like Working for NARFE)

• Know Which Staffers Work on Our Issues

Phone Calls

• Capitol Switchboard: 1-866-220-0044

• Be Polite• Individual Office Numbers:

– Members’ websites

– NARFE Legislative Action Center

– NARFE Congressional Directory

– Phone Bookhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TexasRichardson_telephoneExchangeOperator.jpg

Action Calls

• Keep message simple, clear and concise“I am a resident and voter of Centerville, Ohio and

am calling to urge Congressman Turner to again cosponsor and work for passage of the Premium Conversion legislation, HR 1203. This bill will allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pre-tax basis.”

• Where Sheer Numbers Matter

Question Calls

• Ask to Speak with Appropriate Staff Member

• Engage in Polite Conversation

• Ask Questions– Why isn’t Member Co-Sponsoring – How is the Member Voting and Why

Letters

If you take the time to WRITE;

You will take the time to VOTE

Letters: Content• Try to Cover One Issue; Two at the Most

• State Purpose and Goal in First Paragraph

• Use Bill Numbers and Proper Name

• Be Polite– If you can’t sign your name to it, don’t write it

• Remember the Line Between Congressional Work and Campaign Work

• Personalize and Hand-Write (if possible)– Send Form Letter, Expect Form Letter

• Include Your Contact Information on Letter

Letters: Format

The Honorable Frank Wolf

241 Cannon House Office Building

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Frank Wolf

13873 Park Center Road

Suite 130

Herndon, VA 20171

Dear Representative Wolf:

The Honorable Mark Warner

B40C Dirksen Senate Office Building

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mark Warner

101 W. Main Street

Suite 4900

Norfolk, VA 23510

Dear Senator Warner:

Mailing Instructions

• Mail to District Office– Address available on:

• Members’ website

• NARFE’s Legislative Action Center

• NARFE’s Congressional Directory

• Mail to Your Own Lawmakers– Every Lawmaker Matters

E-Mail• Write as You Would a Letter

– Cover One Issue

– State Purpose in First Paragraph

– Use Bill Numbers & Proper Name

– Be Polite

– Remember No Campaign Language

– Personalize

– Include Contact Information

• Webforms

Communication Follow-Up

• Become a Resource

• Sign-up for Members’ E-Mail Lists

Communication Follow-Up

• Become a Resource

• Sign-up for Members’ E-Mail Lists

• Never Miss an Opportunity to Say Thank You

• Be Polite

NARFE must be political.We must not be partisan.

• We must recognize the power:– The majority party– The party leadership– Committee/subcommittee chairs

• We must remember:– There is never a final vote.– There is always a next election.– To keep up our efforts

• Do not admit defeat or reflect contentment by being silent

Resources• NARFE Congressional Directory

• NARFE Website: www.narfe.org/legislation

• House of Representatives: www.house.gov

• Senate: www.senate.gov

• White House: www.whitehouse.gov

• Thomas: www.thomas.gov

• U.S. Census Bureau: www.census.gov

Questions?