BS: Lobbying Congress

Subject: BS: Lobbying Congress
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Jun 16 - 04:34 PM

I went with a group of like-minded individuals to talk to our actual representatives in Congress; we did the Senate one day and the House the other. Fascinating. Intriguing. Congress was not in session so we had appointments to see aides, but one pol accidentally showed up! Don't know who was more surprised, the rep (Yikes! Constituents!) or us (Yikes! The congressman!) when the inner door popped open and there were a half-dozen people around the conference table...

Anybody done this, here in the US?

And how does it work across the Pond? I know y'all "stand for Parliament" where we would "run for office" but beyond that, I know nothing, Jon Snow.

Subject: RE: BS: Lobbying Congress
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Jun 16 - 05:42 PM

In the UK, members of parliament (either the UK one or the Scottish parliament or the Welsh assembly) hold regular "surgeries" in their constituencies. You don't need to go to London, Edinburgh or Cardiff.

Ordinary humans sometimes get to talk to parliamentary committees but it isn't routine. Most communication is constituency-based.

The other main difference is that British parliamentarians try to get this done while the US Congress is there to stop the President getting things done.

Subject: RE: BS: Lobbying Congress
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 07 Jun 16 - 07:29 PM

Ah, Mrrzy, but did that pol acknowledge your group, or, more better, speak to you about your issues for a few minutes?

Subject: RE: BS: Lobbying Congress
From: mkebenn
Date: 08 Jun 16 - 08:38 AM

Mrrzy, I'll bet your rep was truly baffled lol. Thanks for the Martin reference, are you as frustrated as I am re: "Winds of Winter"? Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Lobbying Congress
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Jun 16 - 10:19 AM

Well, he shook all our hands and disappeared as quickly as he could, with a look and a point at the aide and a promise to talk to them soon...

But the talk may be about Why didn't you tell me there would be constituents here on my day off?!?

Subject: RE: BS: Lobbying Congress
From: Newport Boy
Date: 08 Jun 16 - 05:27 PM

As Jack says, most contact with MPs is constituency-based but it is fairly easy to meet your MP at Westminster. We have organised a number of small groups to visit Parliament and on each occasion we have been welcomed by our MP who has spent 10 minutes with us before going back to 'work' - Parliament was in session.

Also, on a visit to the much-maligned EU in Strasbourg we had a 30 minute session with the MEPs of the main parties for our area. They gave a brief introduction and then answered questions. We were able later to listen to one of them make his case in the chamber - time-limited with no tolerance. The microphone goes off when your time is up.

Phil