Legislative Communications
Contacting your member of congress is one of the easiest and most effective ways to become involved in the legislative process. If you want to express your concerns, whether positive or negative, it can be done by letter, fax, phone, in person and e-mail.
A Congressman's Washington, DC, office should be contacted regarding legislative matters or concerns about public policy.
What a Congressional Office Can Do
A Congressional office can do the following:
- Answer questions relating to legislation, proposed legislation and federal regulations.
- Record your opinion on matters of national policy.
- Arrange meetings with federal agencies.
- Assist in a communications role in disputes between a government agency and a small business.
- Provide information on sources of federal help for small businesses
A Congressional office cannot do the following:
- Ask federal agencies to award specific contracts to a business.
- Act as a research service (although most offices will make some effort to answer questions).
- Act as an advocate for a business in a dispute with a federal agency (but an office can facilitate communications and direct a small business to sources of help).
Please note: Services provided by members of Congress' offices vary by the member. Some offices are willing to do more, and some less, than the services indicated here.
Guidelines for Meeting with Members of Congress
If you plan to visit personally with your member of Congress, first contact his or her office to set up an appointment, either in the home district or in Washington, DC. When you meet with your representative, you should be prepared to make a brief (5-10 minutes), well-organized presentation of your position toward a particular legislative or regulatory issue. Emphasize how the issue affects your company and your customers. Use relevant facts and research to support your views. Ask questions to find out exactly where the member of Congress stands on the issue. Also ask what actions he or she intends to take. Don't be afraid to politely press for specifics. In addition to asking questions, listen carefully to the viewpoint of your member of Congress, even if you disagree. Also, be prepared to answer questions. Following your visit, it's valuable to send a thank-you letter to the member of Congress and the staffer who helped arrange the visit. You may want to include a summary of your position, together with any other information that supports your views.
Tips To Consider Before a Personal Visit:
- Do not attempt to sell products; but definitely explain the technology used in your products and provide anecdotes on how the technology is used.
- Be thoroughly briefed on all aspects of your issue before the meeting.
- Discuss your points in a concise, well-organized manner. State your views firmly.
- Be aware of the legislator's position.
If you can't arrange a personal visit with your representative, write a letter. Keep in mind several items when contacting your legislator by mail. If timing is critical on the issue you are writing about, contact should be made by phone, in person, by fax or e-mail. It is a good idea to confirm what was said by phone or in person with a follow up letter.
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