1.1 sharon rapport
TRANSCRIPT
Strategies for Engaging Congress:
Congressional Meetings
Sharon Rapport
Associate Director, California Policy
Corporation for Supportive Housing
(323) 243-7424
www.csh.org
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Overview
Setting the agenda
Who to meet
When to meet
Getting a meeting
Making your case
Following Up
Setting the Agenda
Key Components of Systems and indicators of a changed system*—
Power Money Habits Technology & Skills Ideas & Values
… all linked to achieve a mission or goal
*Developed by Carol Wilkins3
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Setting the Agenda
To effectuate change, it takes persistent pressure on most or all of the key elements over sustained period
Takes years Some programs, like McKinney, have 24 years of
experience to build upon—familiar to policymakers Other programs are not familiar
Effective Systems Changes often begins with: Persuasive short-term accomplishments Effectively communicated to policymakers
Setting the Agenda
Often, meetings can foster relationships that can create a champion for your cause—
The most effective champions aren’t always the most powerful or dynamic
Staff aides and advisers may be better than elected officials in championing a cause
Needs to be untiring, gifted “salesperson”
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Setting the Agenda
Issues: Problems to be solved
Homeless people with serious health problems are living and dying on the streets
Services funding is the hardest part of financing supportive housing
Fragmented and under-funded health care delivery system for homeless people
Ask: Should be concrete Increase federal funding
for HUD homeless assistance grants
Establish SAMHSA grant program for services in supportive housing
Make all poor people eligible for Medicaid as part of health care reform
Identifying an “ask”—
Who to Meet
Who has the power— Appropriations: funding for established programs Authorization: laws to establish new programs or
change the basic rules for existing programs
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Who to Meet
Meetings with staff can be just as productive— Members rely on staff to keep and stay informed:
Since January, House has taken 494 and Senate has taken 105 roll call votes (roll call votes are minority of votes—many more standing votes)
Staff also very busy:– House staff track 6-10 issues each– Senate staff have deeper understanding of issue, but,
depending on size of population of state, could have responsibility for overseeing multiple issues
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Who to Meet
Focus on Members in majority party while building bipartisan support for the long haul
Target chair and Members in the committees (and subcommittees) with the power to act on your ask—
Appropriations subcommittees: – Transportation, Housing & Urban Development for housing (McKinney)
– Labor, Health & Human Services for health
Authorizing committees: – Financial Services in House and Banking, Housing & Urban Development
in Senate oversee housing
– Energy & Commerce in House and Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) in Senate oversee health
– Veterans Affairs in House and Senate oversee HUD-VASH9
Who to Meet
Always meet with your representative/staff and your senators/staff—
www.house.gov: can enter your zip code to get representative’s name
Identifying staff: Call member’s office and ask them who works on the area you are interested in influencing – Narrow issue based on ask: housing, health,
appropriations, veterans, etc.
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When to Meet
Appropriations— Congress debates from February-September Approps. Committees debate appropriations
through June, set deadlines for approps requests (usually March-May)
Authorizing legislation— Anytime Track progress of bills on Thomas website
(Library of Congress): http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php
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Getting a Meeting
To set a meeting with the member— Contact office & ask for scheduler Fax or e-mail scheduler with request
Background about your organization Reason for meeting (i.e., we would like to
discuss McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance grants)
Names of the people who will attend meeting Your availability Follow-up within a week
To set a meeting with a staffer, send an e-mail request, follow-up with phone calls
E-mail format for House staff: [email protected]
E-mail format for Senate staff: First_Last@Member’sLastName.sen.gov
Be persistent: congressional staff are extremely busy and often listen to the squeaky wheel
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Making the Case: You are the Expert!
Preparation— Don’t go overboard: meetings are usually 10-30 minutes How Member voted in the past—BRIEFLY thank for support Materials: talking points, info about your organization, stats
Focus on solutions, instead of problem: communicate key outcomes/solutions from research and/or experience
Keep it simple
Try to create conversation—don’t do all of the talking
Stories (personal/project) make an impact
REMEMBER YOUR ASK!—don’t run out of time
Discuss how ask will solve issues in the districtUsually won’t get a commitment, but get explanation for a “no”
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Making the Case: You are the Expert!
This is an important problem – it must be solved– Core values– Extraordinary costs– Compelling pressure (media, courts)
We know how to solve this problem– Evidence of success and consensus of experts– We can define the scope of the problem and measure progress
Solutions are a good investment– Cost savings: hospitals, jails, etc.– Neighborhood impacts– Better outcomes for people and families
Follow-Up
Invite staff and members to site visits and tours of projects to put a “face” on data and policy message
Follow-up with brief e-mail thank you to staff for meeting—answer questions or highlight strongest point
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