[MIham] Legislative Action and the 111th Congress

[Frank]

With the New Year approaching so will the changes in Washington. President 
elect Barack Obama will take office on January 20th.  New Senators and 
members of the US House of Representatives also take office after the first 
of this year. Caucus totals are 233 Democrats and 202 Republicans in the 
U.S. House of Representatives and 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and 2 
Independents (who plan to caucus with Democrats) in the U.S. Senate.

Thanks

73







John D. Meyers, NB4K

Division Legislative Action Chairman

Great Lakes Division



Special Projects Officer

Volunteer for Pendleton

County Emergency Management

218 Cory Lane

Butler, Kentucky 41008-8995

H. 859.472.6690

C. 859.512.9598





Legislative Action and the 111th Congress



As the New Year approaches so will the change in Washington. President elect 
Barack Obama will take office on January 20th.  New Senators and members of 
the US House of Representatives also take office after the first of this 
year. Caucus totals are 233 Democrats and 202 Republicans in the U.S. House 
of Representatives and 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and 2 Independents (who 
plan to caucus with Democrats) in the U.S. Senate.



With the changes in Congress and the House of Representatives we have our 
job cut out for us no matter how you look at it. With the changes in seat 
holders this means that a number of our LAAs will need to establish 
relations with the freshman Representatives or Senators or their aides who 
have taken over the offices. This will need to be done as soon as possible. 
The time is now to start making contact with these freshman Legislators and 
Congressman or their aides.



Incidentally, you are not expected to travel to Washington to perform your 
duties.  Instead, the following discussion assumes your visits with 
Congressmen or their aides will occur "back home" in a local office.



Be aware that we often are unable to meet directly with a Congressman. 
Instead, we may meet with one of his/her aides.  This is fine.  The fact 
that you met and the legislative position you supported during your meeting 
will be forwarded to the Congressman.  The support you show during your 
meeting will provide much assistance to the ARRL Legislative Advocate in 
Washington, DC.  Your meeting will prove to the Congressman that voters back 
home are interested in the legislation.

If you have the opportunity to drop in to meet your Congressman's aide in a 
local office, consider introducing yourself.  Tell them that later on you 
will doubtlessly contact them to make an appointment to visit the 
Congressman while he/she is at home, or to visit him (the aide) to discuss 
legislation that relates to Amateur Radio.  Leave your Legislative Action 
business card and, if possible, a brief introduction to what Amateur Radio 
is and how it benefits the public.

Before the day of any meeting that is to promote the ARRL/Amateur Radio 
legislative agenda try to read a bio on the Senator or Representative.  This 
can be found on the Internet, so you'll know about as much as possible of 
his or her background and issues as well. Get a list of the committees 
he/she serves on or chairs so you can familiarize yourself with your 
senator's pet projects or work. Get with your partner and go over the packet 
you have received from me. Make sure you know what's in it and a little 
about it. Make a plan on who is going to be the main speaker for the two of 
you and don't contradict one another. Be professional about what you want to 
talk about and to the point. Write a brief summary of the issue you will 
discuss with the Senator.

Day of the meeting; dress appropriately; depending on where you live, where 
you'll be meeting with the Senator or Legislator will depend on what you 
should wear. If you were meeting them in their primary home office then a 
pair of dress slacks and dress shirt and maybe a tie would be appropriate. 
If it is in a town hall then a casual pair of slacks and shirt would fit the 
bill, however do not wear jeans, shorts, tee shirts or muscle shirts to 
these meeting be professional as you can be without going over board, if 
your everyday dress is a suit that is okay just don't out do your partner 
try and go as a team.  Do not wear a ham radio name badge unless the meeting 
will occur at an Amateur Radio event.

Arrive early to the location but don't go into the office until 5 to 10 
minutes before your appointed time. Arriving early takes the guesswork out 
of making sure you're at the right place, that traffic wouldn't be a problem 
and that your nerves have a chance to calm down as these folks want to hear 
from you as you are the some of constituents that have put them there.

Deliver the program or subject you have practiced. Make sure they have your 
contact information.  As a member of the ARRL legislative action team you 
will receive a legislative action business card with your name, address, 
telephone number and e-mail address.  Be certain to thank the Congress 
member or aide for their time.  It is also a good idea to send an e-mail 
"thank you" a day or two after your meeting.

73

John D. Meyers, NB4K

Great Lakes Division Legislative Action Coordinator