Getting Ready:
A Quick Guide To Meeting with Your Legislators

This page provides a quick guide to gathering that information along with some general talking points for a Congressional meeting. When planning a meeting, do not be discouraged if you meet with a staff person instead of your lawmaker; members of staff handle policy issues and will communicate your views to your legislator.

Knowing something about the Member will give you some idea about how to approach your conversation. Of particular interest are the Member's background, party, ideology, voting record, tenure in Congress, and whether the Member belongs to a Committee that plays a role in biomedical research funding or other issues.

You can locate biographical information on the Member from one or more of the websites listed at the bottom of this page. As you read, keep in mind how the factors listed below may shape the Member's view on research issues.

About the Legislator

• Biography

  • Name
  • Party Affiliation (Democrat/Republican/Independent)
  • Ideology (liberal/conservative/moderate)
  • Educational background
  • Year elected

• District Information

  • Research institutions in the district
  • Type of district (urban/suburban/rural/mix)
  • Major industries and other large employers

• Positions in Congress

  • Committee Assignments
  • Leadership Positions (committees chaired, etc.)

• Research Connections

  • Public positions on biomedical research issues
  • Personal connection to biomedical research