Advancing the Science: A Psychologist's Guide to Participation in Federal Policymaking

Abridged Version

The original text for this guide was written by Barbara J. Calkins in 1995 and revised by the APA Public Policy Office in 2005.

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

I. APA Science Advocacy

• On Behalf of Science

• The Science Advocate Network

II. A Short Course in the Legislative Process

• Understanding the Legislative Process

• Congressional Committees and Subcommittees That Affect Psychological Research and Training

• How a Legislator Decides How To Vote

• Regulatory Process

III. Effective Communications

• Identifying and Locating Your Legislators

• Understanding the Role of Congressional Staff

• Writing a Letter as a Constituent

• Making a Telephone Call as a Constituent

• Meeting With Your Legislator

• Inviting Your Legislator To Visit

Conclusion

Glossary and Acronyms

Public Policy Advocacy Network Sign-Up Form

PREFACE

The American Psychological Association (APA) science advocacy program is the largest and most visible national presence advocating on behalf of the science of psychology. The program is administered by government relations and public policy professionals in the Public Policy Office at the APA Central Office in Washington, DC. Its purposes include:

• Influencing national science and health policy and funding decisionmaking on behalf of the science of psychology;
  
  

• Informing Members of Congress and their staffs about psychological research and its relevance to federal policy and to society;
  
  

• Strengthening the voice of psychology at the Federal/regulatory level; and
  
  

• Informing APA members and involving them as scientist-advocates.

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INTRODUCTION

The American Psychological Association (APA) Public Policy Office is pleased to provide you with this 'Psychologist's Guide to Participation in Federal Policymaking.' This guide is designed to encourage psychologists toward greater participation in the public policy process. Taking part in the political life of our country is a right and a privilege too often exercised by a minority of Americans, the actions of whom have a profound effect on the personal and professional lives of us all. It is our hope that you will use this guide to develop and maintain contact with your U.S. Senators and Representative as a citizen and advocate for psychological science. The guide will inform you about how to do this, in a way that will not require you to learn all the subtleties of public policymaking or to make public policy advocation your full-time job.

APA maintains a vigorous and effective science advocacy program, and your direct contact with Congress as a constituent is a vital component of that program. Your special training and expertise uniquely qualify you to contribute to the development of science policy and to the reshaping of political attitudes toward the science of psychology.

We hope that you will use the information in this guide to support our shared goals. It is important that you coordinate your grassroots activities with our office to assure maximum effectiveness and complementary legislative strategies. Expert staff are available to work with you. Please contact the APA Public Policy Office at (202)336-6062, and work with us to enhance Federal support for psychology and to promote psychological research, teaching, and scientific applications.

In the sections that follow, this guide will discuss details of the legislative process which will help you put your advocacy work into perspective; give you pointers on the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators; and how to use the resources of the APA Public Policy Office to carry out your advocacy efforts on behalf of psychology.

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I. APA SCIENCE ADVOCACY

The American Psychological Association (APA), focused on expanding the recognition of psychology's scientific contributions and achievements, numbers among its primary objectives the enhancement of Federal support for psychology and the promotion of psychological research, teaching, and scientific applications.

In support of that goal, APA sponsors an advocacy program that is the largest and most visible national presence advocating on behalf of the science of psychology. Why advocate for psychological science at the Federal level? Because programs passed by Congress affect every APA member in every State. For each APA member, that impact takes shape in a unique way. Congress decides, for example, if, as a Nation, we will fund scientific research. Congress decides something about the nature of that research and about the level at which it will be funded. And Congress decides whether research will involve the use of animals, or whether certain types of questions can be asked of human participants in research. The APA Public Policy Office staff work to ensure that Congress makes informed choices when making such critical decisions.

APA is called upon by Congress to offer advice in sensitive policy areas that profoundly affect the ways in which psychologists do their work. For example, the APA advises congressional decisionmakers on difficult and often contentious legislative and regulatory issues such as the use of animals in research; testing and assessment; women's health; and research on human sexual behavior. Through its Public Policy Office, APA maintains a close liaison with the constantly changing decisionmakers on Capitol Hill, working with them as they formulate legislation affecting psychological research and training. The advocacy program also maintains an important liaison between APA and other scientific societies, organizations, and coalitions to advance common legislative interests.

Of perhaps foremost importance to our members, APA science advocacy works to increase support for federally funded psychological research. The Federal government has a tradition of generosity in support of science, but the behavioral and social sciences have had to struggle for an appropriate share of Federal research resources. The competition for Federal support is vigorous, and the APA science advocacy program makes the case for psychology to Congress.

On Behalf of Science, APA:

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The Public Policy Advocacy Network and Science Policy Insider News

A major and continuing objective of the Public Policy Office (PPO) is to help interested scientists advocate for psychological science. This includes providing them with timely information on legislative and regulatory issues of importance to psychology. To meet this goal, PPO maintains the Public Policy Advocacy Network (PPAN). The Action Alerts and Information Updates you receive through PPAN will help provide you with the information you need to be an effective advocate for psychology. In addition, PPO maintains Science Policy Insider News (SPIN)  -- a monthly electronic newsletter covering the important policy issues that affect psychological science and psychological scientists at the national level.

PPAN is an electronic network, and we will send you Action Alerts via email. Information Updates are sent electronically approximately once per month. If you are interested in joining PPAN, please click here to fill out a sign up form for PPAN and use the appropriate box to indicate your interest in science issues. If you are would like to subscribe to or would like to read more about SPIN - Science Policy Insider News, please please click here.

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II. A SHORT COURSE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

Understanding the Legislative Process

This section was adapted and reprinted, with permission, from Make Your Voice Heard, a publication of AARP/VOTE, The Voter Education Program of the American Association of Retired Persons.

Any legislator can introduce a piece of legislation, which is known as a bill. A bill is introduced in a given chamber of a legislature -- either the House of Representatives or the Senate. A bill is given a number by the clerk of the chamber in which it is introduced, such as 'S. 1' for the first bill introduced in the Senate, or 'H.R. 92' for the 92nd bill introduced in the House of Representatives.

The bill is then almost always referred to the appropriate committee for consideration. The committee system is intended to provide specialized consideration of bills covering a specific topic. By concentrating on one area of government, the members of the committee and their staff become experts on the topics within their jurisdictions. For example, the House Science Committee has jurisdiction over the National Science Foundation (NSF), and members of the Committee and their staffs are informed on NSF-related issues.

Most committees have subcommittees, which focus on a subset of areas within the jurisdiction of the full committee. The bill is referred to the appropriate subcommittee, where hearings may be held. Interested organizations and individuals can testify at these hearings, stating the reasons for their support or opposition, and suggesting ways in which the bill can be improved. Committee staff may then draft modifications to the bill.

After hearings, the subcommittee may mark up the bill, a process where changes, called amendments, may be made to the bill. The bill is then reported to the full committee, where yet another markup may take place.

The full committee may then vote to report out the bill to the full chamber of the legislative body.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, most legislation is referred to the Rules Committee after being reported out from a full committee. The Rules Committee votes to give the bill a rule, which sets the time limits for debate and the manner in which amendments to the bill will be accepted. If a bill can be amended by the full legislative body, it is given an open rule. If it cannot be amended, it is said to have been given a closed rule. These are the basic parameters of the rule process. More detailed rulings exist and are used occasionally.

The legislative chamber's leadership, such as the Speaker of the House in the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate, has significant power over the scheduling of votes on a bill before the full chamber. The leadership may decide to move action on the bill quickly, or they may try to keep the legislation from ever being voted upon, depending on the politics surrounding the piece of legislation.

Once the bill reaches the full chamber, it is debated on the floor of the chamber by all interested legislators. If amendments are permitted, Members can propose amendments and request votes on them. Finally, the bill, as amended, is voted on and passes, or fails to pass, out of that chamber of the legislature.

In the U.S. Congress the bill is then sent to the other chamber of the legislature. For example, a bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives is then sent to the Senate for its consideration. Generally, the same process of legislation is repeated in this other chamber. The bill is referred to committee and subcommittee, hearings and markups are held, and it is then reported out to the full chamber for a vote.

By the time the bill is voted on in the second chamber, it has usually been modified by amendments and is somewhat different than the bill passed by the first chamber. Thus the bill must now be referred to a conference committee, made up of several members of each chamber, where differences between the two versions are eliminated by compromise and reconciliation. This committee then issues a conference report containing the bill with its agreed upon compromises, which is sent to both chambers for final approval.

Once both chambers have passed the identical legislation, the bill is then sent to the President to be signed into law. The signature of the chief executive is generally the final step in enactment of a new law. If the President does not approve of the bill, the President may veto the legislation and send it back to the legislature.

If a bill receives a veto, it will not become law unless each chamber of the legislature votes (by a two-thirds margin) to override the veto. If the legislature overrides the veto, then the bill gains passage and becomes law.

Once a bill becomes law, it usually requires funding as well. In the process described above, legislation is authorized. A bill is passed establishing a program or function, setting standards, time limits, reporting requirements, and the maximum dollar amount that may be spent on the program or function.

Next, a different piece of legislation funds the program or function by appropriating monies for the implementation of the law.

Consequently, to both create and fund legislation, two different bills may need to be steered through the legislative process.

Single copies (up to six items) of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives documents mentioned in this section, including bills, committee reports, conference reports, and public laws, can be obtained at no charge by sending a return address label and written request to:

Senate Document Room
B-04 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-7106

House Document Room
B-18, House Annex #2
Washington, DC 20515

The House of Representatives Document Room will provide information on status and availability of House legislative documents and will accept telephone orders. Call the House Document Room at (202) 225-3456. The Senate Document Room will provide information on the status and availability of legislative documents, but will not accept telephone orders. Call the Senate Document Room at (202) 224-7860.

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Congressional Committees and Subcommittees That Affect Psychological Research and Training

U.S. House of Representatives

In the House of Representatives, authorizations for most Public Health Service (PHS) agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), fall within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. More specifically, the committee's Subcommittee on Health develops the NIH and SAMHSA reauthorizing legislation, along with many other measures of interest to psychology. Once authorized, funding for most PHS agencies must be approved by the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. This subcommittee divides its allocation of the overall Federal budget among the nation's health, education, and social welfare programs.

Authorization for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) falls within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Science. Once authorized, funding for NSF and NASA must be approved by the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is authorized by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Funding for VA must be approved by the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

The Animal Welfare Act is under the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture Committee, Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture. The animal inspection programs, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), are funded by the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. A small part of our national agriculture budget is directed, through APHIS, to conduct inspections to ensure that scientists, farmers, and animal handlers are meeting the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act.

The research and training activities of the Department of Defense fall under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Armed Services. Once authorized, funding decisions regarding these activities are made by the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense.

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U.S. Senate

In the Senate, authorizations for most Public Health Service (PHS) agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), fall within the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Most matters concerning PHS agencies are handled at the full committee level and are not referred to a subcommittee. Once authorized, funding for most PHS agencies must be approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has primary jurisdiction for authorization of the National Science Foundation. The NSF authorization bill then goes to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which also authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Once authorized, funding for NSF, NASA and the Office of Science and Technology Policy must be approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science. The Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Funding for VA must be approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

The Animal Welfare Act is under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation. The animal inspection programs, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), are funded by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies.

The research and training activities of the Department of Defense fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Once authorized, funding decisions regarding these activities are made by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense.

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Oversight, Special, and Select Committees

In addition to Authorizing Committees and Appropriating Committees, there are two other kinds of committees: Oversight Committees and Special or Select Committees. Oversight committees are charged by Congress with monitoring the administration of laws by the Executive Branch. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Government Reform are oversight committees.

Special or Select Committees are charged with oversight in a particular subject area. They have no legislative authority, but can still be influential because of their special expertise. Examples include the Senate Special Committee on Aging and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

How a Legislator Decides How To Vote

Here is how one lawmaker, U.S. Representative Lee Hamilton of Indiana, describes the process by which he and his colleagues decide how to cast their votes on legislation. This summary was extracted from the Congressional Record and reprinted with the permission of AARP/VOTE.

'A question that has intrigued me is how various Members of Congress decide how to vote. Members cast about 400 votes a year on the most difficult and controversial issues on the national agenda. My impression is that in deciding how to vote, Members weigh three goals: 'They want to make good policy, gain respect inside Congress, and get re-elected.'

Representative Hamilton then goes on to explain the major forces that mold his thinking on a given issue. Notice which he feels is the most important:

Constituents

'Constituents are the most important influence on a Member's voting decision. Whether Members are agents of their constituents' wishes or free to exercise their own judgment is a classic question in a representative democracy. But all Members ask themselves on each vote where their constituents stand on the issue. On those issues where the constituency expresses strong preferences, the Member is almost certain to favor them.'

Colleagues

'Other Members of Congress are important sources of information because, as professional politicians, they will tailor their advice to a Member's needs; they are often well-informed on the issue; and they are available at the time of the vote. Members also pay special attention to the other Members of their State delegation, because they share common interests and problems.'

Lobbies

'Interest groups are neither the most nor least important influence on Congress. Lobbyists can help or hinder a Member's work. They can provide members with easily digested information and innovative proposals.'

The Executive Branch

'The President is, in many respects, the chief legislator. With his excellent sources of information, his ability to initiate legislation, to appeal to all Americans, and to set the legislative agenda, the President has formidable power in the legislative process.'

Party Leadership

Recent electoral changes in Congress have made political party leadership a much more significant factor in Members' decisions. Members of Congress now often hear from their party leaders about specific votes on legislation. Their is more effort expended by the leadership of their party in the Congress, i.e., the Speaker and the Majority and Minority leaders.

Media

'News media may have their greatest effect on Congress as agenda setters. By focusing attention on a particular issue, they can get the American people and the Congress to deal with it. In considering a vote, Members must anticipate how that vote will be played by the media.'

Staff

'It is a mistake to underestimate the importance of congressional staff in the legislative process. Because of Members' hectic schedules, they rely on staff to help them evaluate legislation. Today's staffers usually have a good appreciation of political processes, but their main strength is substantive technical knowledge.'

'Members of Congress vote several times every legislative day on diverse and complex issues. Usually they have more information than they can assimilate, so they need and seek help. It is then that decisionmaking becomes a very personal matter. When the voting clock is running down, the Member must make a decision. The Member knows that in our democracy he or she alone will be held accountable for it.'

Regulatory Process

After a bill is passed by Congress and becomes law, it is referred to the appropriate Executive Branch agency for the development of implementing regulations. While laws outline the general intent of Congress, regulations spell out the specific details of how the law will be applied. For laws of interest to scientific psychology, regulations are developed by government agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Management and Budget, and others.

For example, in 1985, Congress passed amendments to 'The Animal Welfare Act,' a bill to ensure the humane treatment of animals in science, agriculture, and commerce. The new law was then referred to the Department of Agriculture for the development of implementing regulations. In 1986, the Department published a call for public comment in the Federal Register, a publication for the purpose of notifying the public about Executive Branch activities, soliciting the views of the public on how this new law would be best implemented. The Department later developed its first proposed rule, signaling an opportunity for the public to comment specifically on the Federal agency's plan. The agency then reviewed the outside comments including, in this case, the ones developed by the APA Committee on Animal Research and Ethics (CARE). This process may be repeated several times, with the agency extending comment periods or publishing interim final rules, before a final rule is published. The final rule may or may not reflect public opinion.

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II. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Identifying and Locating Your Legislators

The first step in effective communications with Congress is determining the right person to contact. It is generally most effective to contact your own legislator -- the woman or man who represents your congressional District. As your elected official, this is the person who represents you and who must be sensitive to your views. Legislators maintain both a Washington, DC office and a District office located back home. APA can help identify and locate your legislator, or you can check the blue pages of your phone book or call your local political party office.

There may be occasions, however, when it will be appropriate and helpful to your purpose to contact other Members of Congress. For example, when the chair of a Congressional Committee wishes to monitor broad public opinion at a critical point in the legislative process, or when you have special expertise in a specific area in which a congressional committee or subcommittee is developing policy, your communication with them can be important. The APA science policy staff are in the best position to advise you on such exceptions. Contact us if you are interested in developing communications beyond your own Representative and Senators.

Once you know whom to contact, you can obtain his or her Washington office telephone number, or be connected with the Washington office directly, by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. The Washington offices can give you addresses and telephone numbers for local District offices.

Understanding the Role of Congressional Staff

Whether calling, writing, or visiting a congressional office, it is important to understand the role of your Representative's or Senator's staff members. Most congressional offices will have a legislative assistant, or LA, handling your content area of interest. Many congressional staff members are recent college graduates and so may appear relatively inexperienced. However, each Senator and Representative relies heavily on his or her staff to be knowledgeable and informed on the issues. Because the information and advice they provide is often effective in shaping the legislator's opinion on an issue, any time spent discussing your views with them will be a good investment.

In addition to the staff members in the legislator's personal office, the committees and subcommittees of Congress also have professional staff members. These staff members are often more focused in their responsibilities. While a personal staff member usually has multiple subject areas of responsibility, for example, covering science issues, defense, budget, veterans' issues, and environmental issues, a committee staff member is often able to specialize in a small number of areas and to acquire expertise in them. These staff members work for the legislator who chairs the committee or subcommittee or who serves as its Ranking Minority Member.

Staff members in legislators' personal District offices serve still a different function. These staff members take care of the lawmaker's appointments and appearances in the District. They also serve as caseworkers who help to resolve the problems of the District's citizens as they relate to Federal programs. For example, a District office caseworker can help find out why a social security recipient's check is late. Usually members of the personal District office staff are not involved in issues of public policymaking.

Writing a Letter as a Constituent

Congressional offices in Washington receive hundreds of letters from constituents each day. These guidelines will improve the effectiveness of your letter:

When addressing correspondence, this is the proper style:

Representatives

The Honorable Jane Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Smith:

Senators

The Honorable John Jones
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Jones:

Be direct. State the subject of your letter clearly, keep it brief, and address only one issue in each letter.

Be informative. State your own views, support them with your expert knowledge, and cite the bill number (House bill: H.R. #### or Senate bill: S. ####) of relevant legislation, if appropriate. Your personally written letter is more highly regarded than pre-printed materials or postcards.

Be constructive. Rely on the facts and avoid emotional arguments, threats of political influence, or demands.

Be political. Explain the hometown relevance of this issue. Use your institution's stationery, if authorized.

Be discriminate. Write only on the issues that are very important to you and avoid the risk of diluting your effectiveness.

Be inquiring. Ask for the legislator's view on the subject and how she or he intends to vote on relevant legislation. Expect a reply, even if it's only a form letter.

Be available. Offer additional information if needed and make sure your legislator knows how to reach you.

Be appreciative. Remember to say 'thanks' when it is deserved. Follow the issue after you write and send a letter of thanks if your legislator votes your way.

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SAMPLE LETTER

1. Use personal or business stationery.

John Q. Psychologist, Ph.D.
Psychology Department
Hometown University
Hometown, State 12345

Today's Date

2. Address your legislator properly.

The Honorable________________
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator :

3. State your relationship to the legislator up front and concentrate on one issue.

I am a research psychologist and a constituent, and am writing to urge you to support S. 544, the 'Animal Research Facility Protection Act.' This legislation will make it a federal offense to steal, destroy, or make unauthorized use of research animals, equipment or data.

4. Personalize the issue.

I use animals in my research and have a long-standing commitment to animal welfare. The use of animals is necessary to conduct vital research that benefits disabled and/or seriously ill people. My own research explores the basis for drug and substance abuse and the factors that lead to addiction.

5. Be factual.

Animal rights extremists do not believe that this beneficial research should continue and are willing to use violence, terrorism, and theft as a means to end it. Extremists have caused millions of dollars of physical damage and the immeasurable loss of research data and scientific effort. Illegal acts against animal research facilities are an interstate problem as these crimes are thought to be committed by persons who cross state lines for this purpose and then flee. Conspiracy of this kind is very difficult for state and local authorities to investigate and prosecute.

6. Be specific about what you want and inform your legislator about where your issue is in Congress.
7. Request a response.

I urge you to become a cosponsor of S. 544-which will help protect the nation's research and farm animal facilities. This bill, which is currently being considered in the Senate Subcommittee on Agricultural Research and General Legislation, is expected to be reported to the full Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in a couple of weeks. I look forward to hearing your comments on this legislation and appreciate any support you can give our nation's research facilities.

Sincerely,

John Q. Psychologist, Ph.D.
Professor

8. Keep your letter to one page.

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Making a Telephone Call as a Constituent

The guidelines for making an effective telephone call to a congressional office are similar to those for effective letter writing, with a few additions. Remember, you can reach your legislator's Washington office by dialing the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, giving the name of your legislator, and asking to be connected with her or his office.

When preparing for a telephone call, start at the beginning, just as you would in a letter, remembering that the person you talk to may have just gotten off of the telephone with another constituent who had a very different concern. Be prepared with facts and information at your fingertips and a clear idea of what you want your telephone call to achieve.

You can ask to speak to your Senator or Representative, but don't be disappointed if he or she is not available. Next, ask to speak with the legislative assistant who handles the subject of your interest. Remember, this is often just as effective. If the relevant staff member is not available, you can ask for a return call or leave a concise message, such as, 'My name is Dr. Jane Jones and I am a professor of psychology at the University of Hometown. I am calling to ask for the Senator's support on...' Be prepared to give your address or telephone number.

Meeting With Your Legislator

A carefully planned face-to-face visit with your legislator is the most effective means of conveying your message. Such a meeting can be arranged while you are visiting Washington. APA science policy staff are always willing to work with you to set up such a meeting whether you are in town for an APA governance meeting or for another purpose. You can also arrange a meeting in your legislator's District office.

Make an appointment. Contact your legislator's appointment secretary, state your affiliations and the subject you wish to discuss, and ask for 15 to 30 minutes of your legislator's time. If it is clear that the legislator is unable to meet with you, then a very good substitute is a meeting with the relevant legislative assistant (LA). Legislators have a demanding schedule. In fact, you should not be surprised or disappointed if you meet with the LA, even if your appointment was scheduled to be with the legislator.

Do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the legislator's record as it relates to your issue.

Be on time. But don't be surprised if they are not. Congressional schedules are hectic, and being a visitor to Capitol Hill often requires patience and flexibility.

Establish ties. Introduce yourself, convey information about your affiliations, and exchange pleasantries briefly. But don't get bogged down in small talk. You will have precious few minutes with the legislator, so keep to your purpose for the meeting.

Be prepared. Have your information ready in a digestible, concise form, just as you would when writing a letter or making a telephone call. Know the opposing arguments as well as those in favor of your view. Take your cues on how to proceed from the legislator. If he or she seems familiar with the issue, you can move right ahead. If not, take the opportunity to inform him or her.

Be inquiring. Ask your legislator to state his or her position on your issue. Know what you want in advance, and ask for it. Be tolerant of differing views and keep the dialogue open.

Be responsive. Try to answer questions. When you can't, offer to get back to your legislator with the information. Thank him or her for the time spent with you. Follow up with a thank you note, capitalizing on the opportunity to restate your points.

Be appreciative. Follow up with a letter of thanks.

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Inviting Your Legislator To Visit

This section was adapted with permission from Make Your Voice Heard, a publication of AARP/VOTE.

Would it surprise you to know that your legislator might be interested in visiting your research site? Sometimes the most convincing case is the one seen first hand. If your research is federally funded, then a visit from your Representative is a natural. Such visits keep lawmakers in touch with the interests and needs of their constituents, inform them about less familiar subject areas, and provide you with an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with the legislator. Especially attractive to a Representative is the opportunity to meet a great number of concerned and involved constituents during a congressional 'District Work Period' when Congress stands in recess. Of course, the initiative to arrange such a visit will have to come from you.

Appearances or site visits by public officials are exciting, but they require a great deal of advance planning. Here are a few tips:

1. Arrange and coordinate the event with the staff scheduler from the Representative's office. Send a written request with all of the appropriate details, such as time, place, duration of the visit, number of attendees and other guests, activities planned, etc.

   If you are inviting your Member of Congress to an APA sponsored event, you should coordinate the invitation very closely with the APA Public Policy Office. We can also provide valuable advice if you are inviting him or her to tour your research site.

2. You may wish to have members of the local press attend the visit. Contact your institution's public relations office or press office for professional help with this. Be sure that your lawmaker's press secretary is informed before members of the press are invited.

   It is important to target the right reporters to invite to the event. In this case it could be a political reporter who covers the lawmaker, or it could be a science or health reporter, or all three. Your public relations or press office can invite them by sending a 'media advisory' (a one-page announcement with basic information) or by sending a press release, following up with a telephone call two days before the event. You might consider having your institution's photographer on hand and using a photograph in your institution's newsletter or sending a copy to your legislator's office for her or his newsletter. The APA Public Communications Office at (202) 336-5759 can help with questions you might have about inviting the press.

3. Notify anyone who will be affected by the visit, such as colleagues in your department and the university leadership, well in advance, and again the day before the event.
   
   

4. Provide the legislator's office with precise and detailed directions to the event and designate a contact person who will be available as a liaison in advance of the event.
   
   

5. Meet the legislator before the event, allow time for introductions, and provide a briefing on the itinerary and a time schedule for the event. Discuss important factors surrounding the visit, for example, how many scientists are in the facility, or the amount and source of Federal funds received.
   
   

6. Introduce your guest. Give a brief explanation of why he or she is visiting and announce whether or not there will be a question and answer session.
   
   

7. Follow up on any commitments made to the legislator at the event. Coordinate with the legislator's press secretary on the details of a press release, if called for.
   
   

8. Don't forget to send a thank you note, possibly containing photographs taken during the event, as well as any press clippings or news coverage generated by the event.
   
   

9. Stay involved.

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CONCLUSION

Why should you become more politically aware and more politically involved? Because decisions made each and every day by Congress have an impact on psychology and on the way in which psychologists do their work. Remember that your elected officials routinely make decisions about the conduct, funding, and nature of scientific research. The men and women making these decisions are, with precious few exceptions, not scientists. These men and women must, therefore, rely upon the expressed views of their constituents, the information of the experts, and their own opinions to make important decisions. As a psychologist, as a scientist, and as a citizen, you have a right and a responsibility to inform those decisions.

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