How to Lobby and What to Expect on Capitol Hill By: Danielle LeClair, LIUNA PED March 19, 2013 PED Federal Employee Lobby Day Training

Overview What is lobbying – fact from fiction What to do before the meeting – preparation What to expect Who you’ll meet with What to do when you lobby Do’s and Don’ts Follow up

What does lobbying look like?

Who is a Lobbyist? YOU ARE! Citizen lobbyists (aka regular people) Anyone who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a particular interest Some professional lobbyists; some lobby for the first time

Meeting – who? Maybe the Congressperson Often the staff Ask if it’s ok to take a photo with your group – especially if you meet with the Congressperson or Senator

Congressional Staff House – 8 in DC Senate – in DC Committee vs. Personal Staff Large # of issues to handle Often better informed than the Congressperson Positions – various ages/experience levels ◦ Chief of Staff/AA ◦ LD ◦ LA ◦ LC ◦ Staff Assistant

Team Project – Flip Chart Team 1 – What do you do before meeting with your Congressperson? Locals 2132, 792, 29F, 117 Team 2 – What do you do during the meeting? Locals 2163, 1636 Team 3 – Lobbying Do’s – Locals1029, 1050 Team 4 – Lobbying Don’ts – Locals 1707, 2097, 1671 Team 5 – What do you do after the meeting? Locals 572, 1708, 1655

Team 1 - What to do before the meeting with your Congressperson? Review your handouts/ Know your issues Practice lobbying Pick a “lead” spokesperson and a note-taker ◦ Have Lobby Day visit form ready to fill out Find out the Member’s position on the bill ◦ Cosponsor/supporter? ◦ Opponent? Have your ORANGE folders/handouts ready for the Member/staff Know where the Members’ office is and get there early! ◦ Give yourself 30 minutes to get into the building (security, confusing buildings, etc) ◦ But not TOO early…

Team 2 - What to expect during the meeting Give the Member/staff the Orange packet and show them what is in it – including reception invite Introduce LIUNA and yourself Tell them why you are there - Talk about how sequestration affects you, your family, and your community Hold them accountable – ask their position on your issue Give them a reason to care about your issue ◦ i.e. Sequestration harms the whole community ◦ Harms national security, health care, etc. Be able to communicate your message in 5 minutes if needed (but probably have minutes) Stick to Federal Employee issues - Member/staff might want to talk about other issues – immigration, Davis-Bacon, etc. ◦ Say someone will get back to them on other issue and note on Lobby Visit Form

Team 3 - Lobbying Do’s Give them the packet Tell them why you are there Hold them accountable Be patient Be flexible Be respectful but don’t let the Member/staffer run the entire meeting Be brief – summarize the important points Give them a business card/your contact information Get the staffer’s business card – follow up Be on time!!! Or call if you’re running late Be polite – thank the Member/staff for their time Take notes on each meeting and report back to LIUNA for follow up Say “I don’t know” if that’s the answer to the question Be accurate

Team 4 - Lobbying Don’ts DON’T: be technical/use technical terms (or abbreviations) – i.e. TAG, GS/WG, etc. DON’T: assume the Member/staffer knows what your job is and what the laws are DON’T: lie/stretch the truth DON’T: read the fact sheets word for word – summarize the highlights DON’T: argue with the Member/staffer – EVER DON’T: discuss issues other than what you are trained on today (i.e. immigration) DON’T: talk about campaign contributions/the election

Team 5 – What do you do after the meeting? Check back with the staffer about bill/issue status when you get home Send a thank-you note to the Member/staffer for the meeting Check the status of the bill: ◦ Enter bill # Engage your Members at home ◦ Publicize your Lobby Day activities  Union newsletter/website/Facebook/Twitter ◦ Have a Lobby Day in your district on the legislation this Spring/Summer ◦ Thank them publicly if they take the requested action

Conclusion Members/staff are people, too! But busy people ◦ Be prepared ◦ Be brief ◦ Be confident ◦ Follow up