Visiting Capitol Hill

Lobbying Do's and Don'ts

DO:

• Identify yourself and who you represent every time you contact a mebr of Congress or his/her staff. Legislators meet hundreds of people and can't remember everyone they encounter.
• Know the issue and the status of the legislation. Refer to the legislation by number.
• Know your legislator. Have some idea of his/her position on the issue, past votes on similar legislation as well as legislative and personal interests. This can help you tailor your arguments. (Here your state organization can be particularly helpful.)
• Be brief. (Legislators are very busy.)
• Be specific and practical. Relate arguments to situations in the legislator’s home district.
• Keep the door open for further discussion, even if you don't agree at this time. "Politics make strange bedfellows" is not without foundation.
• Talk with legislators even if their positions are opposite yours.
• Think of yourself as a consultant to a legislator. You have expertise and insights that help the legislators understand the bill.
• Be honest. Never lie. Acknowledge opposing arguments and any political liabilities.
• Ask the legislator for support.
• Leave behind a one-page fact sheet summarizing your position. Highlight important facts and arguments. Include your name, address and telephone number so you can be reached if there are questions.
• Thank your legislators.

DON'T:

• Back legislators into a corner.
• Overwhelm them with too much information or jargon.
• Get into lengthy arguments.
• Be afraid to say you don't know. Offer to find out and send the information back.
• Confront, threaten, pressure or beg.
• Expect legislators to be specialists. Their schedules and the number of bills they track make them generalists.
• Ask the impossible...often.

Meeting with Your Representative or Senator

Personal meetings with policy makers are among the most powerful opportunities to make the case for substance abuse prevention and treatment. Lawmakers need to hear from constituents and experts that prevention and treatment are more effective and economical than law enforcement and incarceration, as strategies to address a wide range of community health and safety problems. You can help by reinforcing this message on the local level, including examples and factual information during meetings with your Representative or Senators.

Meeting with a legislator presents particular advocacy challenges. Generally, members of Congress are charismatic and charming people, eager to hear the views of their constituents. However, their purpose while meeting may be different from yours. You will want him/her to act, or make a commitment in support of your goals. On the other hand, the member may be inclined to avoid controversy and balk at making a clear commitment to you. Expect ambiguity, but don't give up.