Sowing the Seeds of Grassroots:
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Transcript of Sowing the Seeds of Grassroots:
Sowing the Seeds of Grassroots:Contacting Congress
Presented by Sarah Holstine, Legislative Specialist2011 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)
• 112th Congress: 241 Rep; 192 Dem; (2 Vacancies)
– Senate: 100 Members • 112th Congress: 51 Dem; 2 Indep; 47 Rep
• Political Leadership
House Political LeadershipSpeaker of the House: John Boehner (OH-8) Majority Leader: Eric Cantor (VA-7) Majority Whip: Kevin McCarthy (CA-22)Republican Conference Chair: Jeb Hensarling (TX-5)Republican Conference Vice Chair: Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5)Republican Policy Committee Chair: Tom Price (GA-6)Republican Congressional Campaign Committee Chair: Pete Sessions (TX-32)
Democratic Leader: Nancy Pelosi (CA-8) Democratic Whip: Steny Hoyer (MD-5)Assistant to the Democratic Leader: James Clyburn (SC-6)Democratic Caucus Chair: John Larson (CT-1)Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair: Xavier Becerra (CA-31)Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: Steve Israel (NY-2)
Senate Political LeadershipMajority Leader and Democratic Conference Chair: Harry Reid (NV)Majority Whip: Dick Durbin (IL)Democratic Policy Committee Chair: Charles Schumer (NY)Democratic Policy Committee Vice Chair: Debbie Stabenow (MI)Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair: Mark Begich (AK)Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair: Patty Murray (WA)
Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell (KY)Minority Whip: Jon Kyl (AZ)Republican Conference Chair: Lamar Alexander (TN)Republican Policy Committee Chair: John Thune (SD)Republican Conference Vice Chair: John Barrasso (WY)Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair: John Cornyn (TX)
Congress’ Structure
• Bi-Cameral Institution– House: 435 Voting Members (6 Non-voting)
• 112th Congress: 241 Rep; 192 Dem; (2 Vacancies)
– Senate: 100 Members • 112th Congress: 51 Dem; 2 Indep; 47 Rep
• 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: Paul D. Ryan (R-WI-1) Ranking: Chris Van Hollen (D-
MD-8)
• Senate Budget Committee– Chair: Kent Conrad (D-ND) Ranking: Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
• House Ways and Means Committee– Chair: Dave Camp (R-MI-4) Ranking: Sander Levin (D-MI-12)
• Senate Finance Committee– Chair: Max Baucus (D-MT) Ranking: Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
• House Oversight and Government Reform– Chair: Darrell Issa (R-CA-49) Ranking: Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7)
• 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
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 or Not Support Proposal– 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 oppose any proposals to make additional cuts to the earned federal civilian retirement and health benefits of federal workers and retirees, to freeze federal pay or to reduce the federal work force. Federal workers, including those at Wright-Patt Air Force Base, protect America’s heartbeat and keep our nation strong.”
• 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
Social Networking
• Facebook• Twitter• Blogs
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• NARFE Legislative Action Center:
www.capwiz.com/narfe • 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?