Although it is a tired cliché, knowledge is power, and nowhere is that
more true than in legislative politics. In order for there to be change, those
in power need to become aware that change is necessary. Your members of Congress
were elected to serve you and they therefore want to hear from you. They cannot
do their jobs without citizens input. In other words, they need to be
lobbied.
The popular perception of lobbying is negative and implies shadiness or improper
access. But in Congress, lobbying is beneficial; it is where Congress and the
citizen scientist intersect. A good lobbyist brings timely, relevant information
to congressional staff.
Every year, thousands of complex issues arrive on the desks of congressional
offices; imagine how many may slip through the cracks. A typical senator for
a state with a population of 5 million people employs only five or six legislative
staffers. While staffers from one office may pick up an issue, staffers from
another may never even hear about it. Thus, a well-timed phone call about a
bill might mean the difference between passage and defeat.
For example, the House of Representatives recently passed a reauthorization
of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). Although the entire
geoscience community was behind the bill, the Senate had not signaled an intention
to consider the bill. This is where a late January visit to one of our senators
offices by a professional engineering society proved timely and effective.
Having been made aware of the existence of NEHRP, one of us wrote a letter for
the senator requesting action on the bill. As the process now moves forward,
this visit and ensuing letter might be pivotal to the passage of the NEHRP bill.
The quid in the quid
pro quo
In return for the information you provide, your member of Congress may take
a range of political action on your behalf, including writing letters, making
phone calls, co-sponsoring legislation and holding hearings. Influential avenues
available to members of Congress extend far beyond introducing and voting for
legislation.
Targeted communication can be a powerful tool for a member of Congress. A letter
from a senator to a state or federal agency chief can prompt immediate attention
and a careful response suitable for the press. Or your member may want to assist
you but, for any number of reasons, needs to keep his or her role confidential.
In that case, a phone call from a senator can be as effective as a letter, but
keeps the action behind the scenes.
As a citizen scientist, you can assist your member by composing a letter for
him or her to sign or by preparing talking points for a phone call that he or
she can place, keeping in mind that a request for sensitive information can
be just as effective as a demand for action.
A simple but effective action to suggest to your congressional member is to
co-sponsor an existing bill. Often, having a large number of bipartisan co-sponsors
increases a bills chance of success. If you are asking your members to
vote for pending legislation, why not go the next step and ask them to become
co-sponsors?
Senators and representatives also influence policy through public hearings.
Because Congress has oversight duties of the executive branch agencies, senior
agency officials find themselves closely and publicly questioned many times
a year. Congressional members frequently use these venues to raise issues that
are of concern to their constituents. You may suggest a question that, if asked,
will become a matter of public record and can later be used to your advantage.
In addition, by staging a hearing in your home congressional district, your
representative can promote his or her own accomplishments while garnering support
and information for future action on your behalf. You can help by providing
information, helping to organize the event and suggesting dynamic speakers.
Ask and ye shall receive
Ultimately, a successful relationship between you and Congress is a mutually
beneficial one, which results in good press for your legislator and high-level
advocacy on your behalf. You offer knowledge, which leads to accolades
and, ultimately, reelection for your congressperson. In turn, your representative
offers political action, which supports your stand on an issue.
In your mind, frame the solution to your problem as a news headline lauding
your member of Congress: Senator wins $3 million for clean water;
Congressman targets illegal dumping; Bill would create 10,000
jobs; Senators action supports local schools. Then approach
your representative with the request that will garner this glowing press.
Although informational briefings are not unusual, it is best to approach your
member with a specific request. If your objective is purely educational, then
your challenge is to understand the policy implications of your lesson and to
frame it accordingly. Staffers are so busy and action-oriented that they may
resent your taking their time without having a specific agenda. Dont be
the one who provokes the exasperated, but oft-repeated refrain, it took
half an hour before I even knew what he wanted. (Both of us have been
on the staffer end of such a meeting.)
According to a seasoned lobbyist, Congress is all about bartering. Its
about getting something. Any inhibition about lobbying for your project only
hinders your objective.
And remember, you need not travel to Washington, D.C., to inform your members
of Congress or their staffs; you can always arrange a meeting in a district
office. If you schedule well in advance, you might be able to show your representatives
your lab, stream-gauging station, mine site or other field project. A hands-on
visit can strengthen your argument and provide good press for your senator or
representative.
In Part II of this series, coming in May, we will
explore how to identify the best members of Congress to help you achieve your
mutual goals and how to begin your relationship with their staffs.
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