Virtual Meetings With Congress – COVID-19 closed Congressional offices and meant that meetings with Congress became video meetings. Like most of the world, Congressional offices are mostly back to normal. However, video meetings are now options for meeting with Congress.
Call Your Member of Congress – Placing a phone call to your member of Congress is a way to deliver a short and concise message about a current event.
Bring Congress to Your Lab – Like too many Americans, most members of Congress have no idea what a
Visit Congressional Offices – An in-person meeting with your representative or their staff remains a very important way of educating them about the important role of fundamental biomedical research.
Writing an Op/Ed – Newspapers, especially local newspapers, are always interested in commentaries from knowledgeable writers.
Attend Congressional Town hall Meetings – Some members of Congress occasionally hold townhall meetings to meet with their constituents. These meetings are great ways to ask a question or make a contact with your representative.
Casual Conversations – Never miss an opportunity to educate someone about fundamental research. A short conversation in a cab, on an airplane or even in line at a store can lead to a new supporter of research.
Civic and Community Organizations – Local civic organizations are always interested in knowing what is going on in their community.
Meet with Government Leaders – here is a one pager that covers many ways you can meet with your government leaders.
About the Author:
Kevin M. Wilson serves as Director of Public Policy and Media Relations for The American Society for Cell Biology. He's worked as the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Robert Weygand (D-RI) and as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI). He has a BA in Politics and American Government from the Catholic University of America. Email: kwilson@ascb.org
