Kara Sears
Citizens can request a new law or bill by contacting a legislator via phone, email, snail mail, or in person. Legislators can only request new bills during the fall, and these are introduced in January, when public hearings and votes begin. Citizens can show up at these hearings to voice support for their bill, contact their elected officials, and urge them to vote for the bill. Bills can be proposed by a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives or be proposed during their election campaign. They can also be petitioned by individuals or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ways to contact legislators | Phone, email, snail-mail, in-person meeting |
| Time of year legislators can request new bills | Fall |
| Ways to support a bill | Attend public hearings, contact elected officials, write to the editor |
| Who can propose a bill | Sitting members of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, citizens or citizen groups |
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What You'll Learn
Contact legislators via phone, email, or mail
Citizens can request a new law or bill by contacting legislators via phone, email, or mail. Legislators can only request new bills during the fall of each year, so citizens with law proposals may need to wait several months for their ideas to be considered. After legislators file bill requests, legislative staff drafts the bill text, and the bill is introduced in January, marking the start of public hearings and votes. If your idea is complex, you may want to request a meeting with your legislator to discuss it in detail.
When contacting legislators by phone, be prepared to briefly and clearly state your name, the issue you are calling about, and the specific action you would like the legislator to take. You may be able to leave a voicemail if the legislator is unavailable, so have a concise message ready. Keep in mind that phone calls may be the fastest way to reach legislators and their staff, especially if your query is time-sensitive.
For email communications, address the legislator formally and respectfully, providing your name, address, and the specific issue or law you are writing about. Explain how the issue affects you and why it is important. Be concise and use a clear subject line to ensure your email is easily understood and stands out.
If you choose to send a letter via mail, address the legislator formally and include your name and address to help them identify your district or state. Clearly state the issue or law you are writing about and explain its significance. You can also mention any personal experiences related to the issue to add impact to your message.
Regardless of the communication method, it is important to be respectful and concise when contacting legislators. Provide relevant information and context to support your request for a new law or bill. Keep in mind that legislators receive numerous communications, so make sure your message stands out and effectively conveys the importance of your proposal.
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Attend public hearings to voice support
Public hearings are a great way to voice your support for a bill or regulation that is being considered for adoption. They are usually held around bills that are up for discussion, and comments from the public must be directly related to the bill or regulation under consideration.
To attend a public hearing, you should first check if pre-registration is required. Some committees will require you to pre-register by a deadline to testify in person or via video conferencing tools like Zoom. If you do not have internet access, you may be allowed to testify by phone. You can find the relevant information on how to register and participate in public hearings by checking your local government's website or reaching out to your public officials.
When presenting your comments, it is important to know your goal and make a strong pitch that clearly and concisely lays out the problem, your proposed solution, and what action you want the government body to take. You can practice telling your story beforehand to help you feel more confident when speaking. It is also helpful to know the number of the bill you are interested in.
Remember to be respectful and constructive in your comments. You have the right to state your opinions, but showing appreciation for the work of public officials can go a long way. It can also be powerful for leaders to hear that several of their constituents want the same thing, so consider bringing a neighbour or friend with the same viewpoint to the meeting to provide moral support and demonstrate the level of community support for the bill.
After the public hearing, follow up to figure out the next steps you can take to continue moving your supported bill forward.
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Write to editors to raise awareness
In the United States, citizens can request a new law or bill by contacting a legislator via phone, email, or snail mail. They can also meet with legislators to discuss more complex ideas. Legislators can only request new bills during the fall, so citizens with law or bill proposals may need to wait several months for their ideas to be considered. After a legislator files a bill request, legislative staff drafts the bill text, and the bill is introduced in January, kicking off public hearings and votes. Citizens can participate in this process by attending public hearings, contacting elected officials, and writing letters to editors to raise awareness of their support for specific bills.
Writing to editors is a powerful way to advocate for a new law or bill and can be an effective tool to engage the public and gain support for your cause. Editors have a wide reach and can bring attention to your proposal, influencing public opinion and putting pressure on legislators to take action. When writing to editors, it is important to be clear and concise in your message, providing a strong argument for why your proposed law or amendment is necessary and beneficial to the public.
Your letter should include a brief explanation of the issue you aim to address and how your suggested law would help resolve it. Provide specific details and examples to illustrate the impact of the current situation and how your proposed solution would make a positive difference. It is also helpful to mention any relevant personal experiences or expertise you have in the area, as this can add credibility to your argument. Remember to keep your letter focused and avoid including irrelevant information that may distract from your main point.
Additionally, consider including a call to action in your letter. For example, you could urge readers to contact their legislators to show their support for your proposed law or bill. Providing contact information and suggestions for specific actions that readers can take will make it easier for people to get involved. You could also encourage readers to share your letter or spread the word through their networks to generate further awareness and engagement.
Writing to editors is a valuable tool for raising awareness and gaining support for your proposed law or bill. By crafting a clear, compelling, and concise letter, you can effectively advocate for your cause and increase the likelihood of your proposal gaining traction and making a positive impact.
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Petition bills as an individual or group
Petitioning is a way to request a new law or bill and has a long history, dating back to ancient Egypt, where workers petitioned for better working conditions. In the context of requesting a new law or bill, petitioning typically involves citizens contacting their legislators or elected officials to present their ideas or seek support for a particular cause. This can be done through various means such as phone calls, emails, letters, or in-person meetings.
One specific type of petition is a discharge petition, which is commonly associated with the US House of Representatives. A discharge petition is used when the chair of a committee refuses to place a bill or resolution on the committee's agenda. For a discharge petition to be successful, it requires the signatures of an absolute majority of House members, which is 218 members. Once the petition receives the required number of signatures, it can be called to the floor for a vote. However, discharge petitions are rarely used successfully due to the high number of signatures needed and the political dynamics involved.
Petitioning as an individual or group is a way to exercise your right to free speech and engage with elected officials. It is a tool to express your opinions and seek support for issues that are important to you. When petitioning as an individual, it is essential to clearly articulate your request or idea and provide supporting arguments. You can contact your legislators directly or participate in public hearings to voice your support for a particular bill. As an individual, you can also urge your elected officials to vote for a specific bill and raise awareness by writing letters to editors or utilising online platforms.
Group petitioning, on the other hand, involves collective action, often led by political action groups or campaigns. It harnesses the power of numbers to assert strength and compel policymakers to listen and act. Historically, group petitioning has been used by disenfranchised groups, such as women, to advocate for their rights, such as in the women's suffrage movement. Today, group petitioning can be facilitated by hiring professionals or utilising online platforms to reach a wider audience and gather support for a particular cause. By working together, groups can amplify their voices and increase the likelihood of their petitions gaining traction and influencing policymakers.
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Request a meeting with legislators to discuss complex ideas
As a citizen, you can request a meeting with legislators to discuss complex ideas. Here are some steps and strategies to guide you through the process:
Making the Request
Firstly, identify the specific legislator or legislators you wish to meet with. Consider which district or state they represent and how your issue aligns with their constituents' interests. You can contact them by phone, email, or snail mail, but for complex ideas, it is advisable to request a meeting in writing via email or fax. In your request, briefly explain the issue you wish to discuss and the specific action or outcome you are seeking. Identify yourself as a constituent and provide your contact information. Suggest a few potential dates and times for the meeting, and be mindful of their busy schedules.
Preparing for the Meeting
Before the meeting, take time to learn about the legislator's interests and priorities. Frame your message in a way that is most likely to capture their attention and interest. Prepare concise talking points that cover the key issues you want to address. If there are multiple advocates attending the meeting, ensure you agree on these talking points in advance to present a united front. Support your arguments with facts and personal anecdotes, and be ready to provide additional materials or resources if needed. Keep in mind that staff members may have more time to delve into the details of your proposal, so be open to building relationships with them as well.
During the Meeting
Arrive on time for your meeting and be prepared for possible interruptions or a short meeting duration. Start by introducing yourself and thanking the legislator for their time and any previous support they have shown for related issues. Be clear and concise during the discussion, focusing on one or two key issues. If the legislator needs more time to consider your request, suggest "relationship-building asks" such as visiting relevant places in the community or contributing to your website.
After the Meeting
Follow up with a thank-you note to the legislator and their staff, reiterating your concern and requested action. Send any additional materials or information that were discussed during the meeting. Create a lobby report form to summarize the meeting for your colleagues and track the legislators' positions on your cause. Continue to build relationships with the legislator and their staff, and follow up on any commitments or actions discussed.
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Frequently asked questions
Citizens can request a new law by petitioning a bill to a member of Congress that represents them. Bills are proposals for a new law or a change to an existing law. Citizens can contact legislators by phone, email, or snail mail, or urge their elected officials to vote for the bill.
Legislators can only request new bills during the Fall of each year. Bills are introduced in January, and public hearings and votes begin.
Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process. Once both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions. Then both chambers vote on the same version of the bill. If it passes, they present it to the president.
