Visit to Washington DC - how do I speak to an elected official?
June 18, 2018 7:19 PM Subscribe
I will be visiting Washington DC for leisure in July. When I told my friend about it, he recommended trying to visit my elected official as Congress would still be in session. I do have some things I'd like to advocate for... I could use all the advice on how to go about doing so. Details below.
The last several months I've been a caretaker for my late husband who lost his battle with cancer in April. I wanted to go on vacation somewhere I have not been on his birthday in late July and Washington DC had some good flight deals. I will be there on a Thursday and Friday mostly to explore around and see a new place. In honor of my husband, I really wanted to take my friend up on his advice and visit an elected representative about healthcare reform and specifically FMLA and my experience with it (positive and negative). Humbly, I am not politically savvy at all so I can use all the advice I can get.
How would I go about doing this?
I live in Dallas, TX. Who would be the best person to speak with if available?
What should I bring or how should I prepare?
Has anyone else done this and did anything come of it?
I feel this would be a good tribute to people like my late husband and other caretakers or dependents. Open to other topics to advocate - I just feel FMLA would be very specific and I could speak to it very personally.
Don't want to steer the conversation about grieving, etc. I am seeking professional advice in that matter. Please only advice on the process of seeking a meeting with my elected officials. Thank you.
The last several months I've been a caretaker for my late husband who lost his battle with cancer in April. I wanted to go on vacation somewhere I have not been on his birthday in late July and Washington DC had some good flight deals. I will be there on a Thursday and Friday mostly to explore around and see a new place. In honor of my husband, I really wanted to take my friend up on his advice and visit an elected representative about healthcare reform and specifically FMLA and my experience with it (positive and negative). Humbly, I am not politically savvy at all so I can use all the advice I can get.
How would I go about doing this?
I live in Dallas, TX. Who would be the best person to speak with if available?
What should I bring or how should I prepare?
Has anyone else done this and did anything come of it?
I feel this would be a good tribute to people like my late husband and other caretakers or dependents. Open to other topics to advocate - I just feel FMLA would be very specific and I could speak to it very personally.
Don't want to steer the conversation about grieving, etc. I am seeking professional advice in that matter. Please only advice on the process of seeking a meeting with my elected officials. Thank you.
Also lots of senators/congresspeople offer constituent breakfasts and the like, where you get a moment of facetime with your rep. For example, here's Dianne Feinstein's page explaining how to RSVP and what to expect.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:27 PM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:27 PM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Yes, call their D.C. office and ask for a meeting about that specific issue. You can definitely meet with a staffer. Their offices are also open to the public, so even if you didn't have a meeting scheduled you could at least go in and talk briefly with someone. There are always many activists there for meetings though, so you're likely to not get real facetime if you just wander in.
I did this with a professional group and they set the meetings up for us. There were many other activists and lobbyists on the Hill last spring when I was there. You go into the office, tell them who you're there to see, and wait for that person to become available.
For a greater chance of meeting your rep, I'd chose Thursday over Friday. Friday they will likely be traveling back to Texas, so they are more likely to be headed for the airport sometime in the afternoon and thus have less time in the office. If you do meet your rep, expect it to be brief. Practice what you want to say in (literally) ten to fifteen seconds while they shake your hand and possibly take a picture with you. They will want to keep it to pleasantries, so if you have a message to convey, be direct and get to it immediately after you say hello.
posted by deludingmyself at 8:06 PM on June 18, 2018
I did this with a professional group and they set the meetings up for us. There were many other activists and lobbyists on the Hill last spring when I was there. You go into the office, tell them who you're there to see, and wait for that person to become available.
For a greater chance of meeting your rep, I'd chose Thursday over Friday. Friday they will likely be traveling back to Texas, so they are more likely to be headed for the airport sometime in the afternoon and thus have less time in the office. If you do meet your rep, expect it to be brief. Practice what you want to say in (literally) ten to fifteen seconds while they shake your hand and possibly take a picture with you. They will want to keep it to pleasantries, so if you have a message to convey, be direct and get to it immediately after you say hello.
posted by deludingmyself at 8:06 PM on June 18, 2018
I live in Dallas, TX. Who would be the best person to speak with if available?
Whoever your representative is. Don't bother with Cruz or Cornyn unless you really like tilting at windmills.
How would I go about doing this?
Call the office, as noted.
What should I bring or how should I prepare?
Has anyone else done this and did anything come of it?
Relax. You're not going to change the world and you don't need to worry about doing everything right so that you do -- doubly so since nobody from Texas is on the relevant committee. There isn't One Weird Trick to this and you don't need to be politically savvy; you don't need to try to handle them. If you get a meeting, just show up and be direct and heartfelt about it and talk to the MC or staffer like they're another person. If you want to practice, just have normal human conversations about FMLA with other people before then.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:29 AM on June 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Whoever your representative is. Don't bother with Cruz or Cornyn unless you really like tilting at windmills.
How would I go about doing this?
Call the office, as noted.
What should I bring or how should I prepare?
Has anyone else done this and did anything come of it?
Relax. You're not going to change the world and you don't need to worry about doing everything right so that you do -- doubly so since nobody from Texas is on the relevant committee. There isn't One Weird Trick to this and you don't need to be politically savvy; you don't need to try to handle them. If you get a meeting, just show up and be direct and heartfelt about it and talk to the MC or staffer like they're another person. If you want to practice, just have normal human conversations about FMLA with other people before then.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:29 AM on June 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
If it's true, when you call their office you should also note that you'd be happy to meet your MC or speak to a staffer back home in TX, or try to corner the MC for a minute or two at an event they'll be at. The meeting will be just as real.
My honest immediate reaction is that you can meet with your MC or a staffer anytime but probably won't be back at the Smithsonian anytime soon, and I would be reluctant to let anything get between me and the Smithsonian because holy shit there is amazing stuff there no matter what your interests are.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:35 AM on June 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
My honest immediate reaction is that you can meet with your MC or a staffer anytime but probably won't be back at the Smithsonian anytime soon, and I would be reluctant to let anything get between me and the Smithsonian because holy shit there is amazing stuff there no matter what your interests are.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:35 AM on June 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
If you're not sure who your representative is, you can look it up using this website.
posted by burden at 5:09 AM on June 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by burden at 5:09 AM on June 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
I met with a staffer of one of my senators a couple of months ago. I was told by people who do this professionally that personal stories are the most impactful. So in addition to telling my personal story, I also brought a stack of letters from other constituents with their stories. I feel like the letters multiplied the effect of my visit. I wasn't just a single constituent. I was a representative of many more constituents who cared about the issue.
I encourage you to reach out to professionals who are advocating around FMLA. In my experience, they will be happy to coach you through getting an appointment and what to say during the meeting. They might also help connect you with other people who could write letters for you to bring.
posted by mcduff at 5:36 AM on June 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
I encourage you to reach out to professionals who are advocating around FMLA. In my experience, they will be happy to coach you through getting an appointment and what to say during the meeting. They might also help connect you with other people who could write letters for you to bring.
posted by mcduff at 5:36 AM on June 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
I used to work in a Congressman's office and these requests are totally ordinary to them. Do not be intimidated. Just call in advance!! Most elected officials are happy to meet with a constituent (or to allocate a staffer to do so) and if you have a petition, photos, supporting letters or something similar, definitely bring them to show and leave behind.
My only suggestion would be to make a list for yourself of key points you want to make, since I know the situation can be flustering.
posted by nkknkk at 2:14 PM on June 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
My only suggestion would be to make a list for yourself of key points you want to make, since I know the situation can be flustering.
posted by nkknkk at 2:14 PM on June 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
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