Building relationships with your Members of Congress is important to ensuring that rare disease patients are heard on Capitol Hill and policymakers are working to improve the lives of patients with rare diseases.
Members of Congress are more responsive to their constituents and more likely to support a policy proposal when they hear directly from people who live in their district!
To build a relationship with your Member of Congress, you can:
Schedule a meeting with your Member in the District office or on Capitol Hill
Get to know the key staff who handle health care policy in the district and in Washington, DC
Invite your Member of Congress or their staff to events held in your community
Attend events like townhalls that your Member of Congress holds in the district and state
Volunteer for a candidate’s campaign activities
Engage with legislators on social media
Write letters or emails to your legislators
Write op-eds for your local newspapers
Send “thank you” messages (call, email, letter, social media) when your legislators support rare disease issues
When should I engage with my Representative and Senators?
Anytime and all the time! Start out slowly, with one or two different activities. As issues arise, engage with your legislators on those issues. Pay attention to the issues you care about most.
As a bill progresses through Congress (committee, House vote, Senate vote, conference committee, etc.), let your legislators know about your position on the issue. Don’t wait until it’s too late to voice your support or concerns on legislation you care about.
How do I connect with my legislator?
- Find personal connections you have in common! As a constituent, you are from the same state and area as your legislator. You may live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, etc.
- Research the issues that are important to your legislator (check out their website and press releases).
- Research the legislation that the legislator has supported (check out their website and press releases).
Tip
Staff are an amazing resource and Members of Congress rely on them to advise them on issues that affect their district and constituents.
