I’m hot off the heels of a trip to Washington D.C. where I spent time with people who have never lobbied, and I forget how exciting it can be! So what’s it really like to walk the halls of Congress? How do you set up a meeting, who do you meet with, and what’s the overall vibe?
I’ve been lobbying at the state and federal level for over 12 years and the experience is very empowering. As someone who used to hate politics (it’s actually how I eventually got INTO politics), participating in our democracy can be energizing.
What is lobbying and all are lobbyists bad?
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. Lobbying isn’t a well-respected term, or professional, and for good reason. Plenty of corrupt lobbyists have given the industry a bad name. But lobbying is simply asking an elected official to take a stand on a particular issue. To be a lobbyist, you can either register (like me) if you lobby on a regular basis, or you can be a “citizen lobbyist” which is a voter (that’s you!) who meets with an elected official.
So the answer to the question is no, there are good lobbyists who are working on behalf of environmental organizations, disabilities right’s advocates, and basic consumer protections.
State vs Federal Lobbying
Every state legislature runs differently and has a different “feel”. California for example, while the Capitol building is beautiful and accessible, most of the lobbying is with staff who work for the legislator. In my home state of Minnesota for example, you mostly directly lobby the legislator themselves (my favorite!), which allows you to have a direct line to those in power. It all depends if the legislature is full time, or part time.
U.S. Capitol is Open to All
One thing most people are shocked to find is that the U.S. Capitol buildings (with some exceptions) are open to the public. You’ll need to walk through a metal detector before entering the buildings, but other than that you can walk right in. It is the “peoples’ house” after all!
Setting up Meetings is Easy
Are you visiting DC with your family? I suggest calling your Senator’s offices ahead of time to let them know you’re coming. If you’re particularly passionate about an issue, you can ask to meet with a staffer on a certain topic. I wouldn’t recommend going in with a laundry list of different topics you want to rant about, but pick one or two (see more about this below). If this feels too intimidating, you can still visit the office, which is often filled with state specific memorabilia. Senator Alexander from Tennessee for example has old barn wood siding the walls of his office with historic paraphernalia from his home state.
Meetings are With Staff and Last About 15-30 Minutes
Being a U.S. Senator or Representative is hard work. They are expected to vote on hundreds of pieces of legislation, all of which cover different categories. As a result, the Members of Congress hire staff to be their experts in different issue areas (like health care reform, tax reform, environmental policy and more). When you meet with staff, you’ll be assigned with the person who is the expert in the topic you want to discuss.
Meetings Are Most Effective When In Coordination With an Organization or Brand
While the Capitol is the people’s house, and you’re welcome to set up your own meeting, your voice will be heard more if you work with an organization. For example, if you care about climate change, the local or national organization leading on this topic may have a specific “ask” of a Congressional office. If you coordinate with them then you can help add grassroots momentum to the collective movement, rather than weighing in as a “one off”. Find the leader in your particular issue and reach out to them ahead of time to coordinate.
In a nutshell, this is what it’s like to lobby Congress. I hope you have the opportunity to do this someday, in DC or in your local legislature. I would encourage you to get involved with local organizations, which often have “lobby days” at your state capitol. As I mentioned before, it’s always best to plug into an existing organization or movement so your message is coordinated and your impact maximized!
Never miss a post and join my mailing list.
