VISITING YOUR LEGISLATORS
Important Points to Remember
s you visit your state or federal
< How will the bill affect the legislator's
legislators, you will want to be mindful
reelection prospects?
Aof various characteristics of the <What are constituents (citizen voters)
legislative process. These qualities influence
saying about the issue?
how policy is made, including the effect of
< What are the views of the news media,
your interaction with congressional staff.
community and business leaders, and
Remember the following points about the
local interest groups?
legislative process, knowing that policymaking
< What will be the impact on the economy
is not a straightforward process:
and jobs?
< Are any significant local campaign
1. The legislative process is deliberately
supporters taking a public position on the
complex, ensuring that proposed new laws
issue?
and policies receive the fullest possible
< What is the advice from the legislator's
consideration. Most bills introduced never
staff members and advisers?
receive any action at all, and few of those
< Is this issue consistent with the
considered become law. Also, a legislative
legislator's previous votes on related
proposal may be introduced year after year
matters, and with his or her political and
before it gains consideration. Hang in there;
economic philosophies?
evaluate how you might approach your goal
< Do these political factors need to be
when you try again.
addressed
explicitly
during
your
congressional visit, or implicitly as you
2. Every legislative body has informal
shape and practice the message you are
customs and practices. These customs
attempting to deliver?
and practices can be as important as the
body's formal rules. For example, key
5. The legislative process is customarily
policy decisions are made by the leadership
very open. Every interested citizen usually
in some legislatures, by a policy committee
has the opportunity to offer input and
in others, and by the majority party
express opinions at various stages of the
members in yet others. Who is making the
process. Public comments are welcome.
decisions?
Although the process is complex, with
many hidden and open factors influencing
3. All of the government including the
it, the government is of and by the people.
legislature is political. Candidates for
Do not be shy about expressing yourself;
most legislative seats are nominated
just approach your meetings in full aware-
through partisan political processes and
ness of the context in which you are
chosen in partisan elections. The political
working.
party that wins a majority of seats in each
legislative body also wins the right to pick
When you participate actively in the
the leaders of that body, and often the staff.
political process, you are joining a lively
Consider how party politics might shape
discussion on public policy. Legislators
your approach to your goal.
lobby (attempt to influence) each other and
are influenced, in turn, by the executive
4. Legislative proposals may be weighed
branch of government, other public and
subjectively. They are often considered
private interests, and self-styled activists.
not only on their merits but also on these
basic political questions:
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