How to Fight a Bill in the Legislature

eHow.com
July 26

The United States is a representative democracy, and citizens’ interests are represented by elected officials who create laws. Although citizens cannot vote directly on bills before the legislature, they do have influence over their representatives’ actions. The right to petition the government for redress of grievances is guaranteed by the First Amendment, and there are several ways to exercise that right. Whether you meet face-to-face or write a letter to legislators, there are several guidelines for making your message as effective as possible.

Step 1
Choose your method of protest. Private citizens are invited on occasion to testify before Congress and state legislatures during committee hearings. During these hearings, experts or citizens with some vested interest in the substance of a bill are asked to speak before committee members. These hearings are not accessible to the general public, however. A more pragmatic approach is to petition or write a letter to your representatives, or become a citizen lobbyist.

Step 2
Lobby members of Congress and state legislators as a private citizen. Lobbyists often represent corporations and special interest groups, but citizens can lobby for a cause as well. The greatest hurdle is gaining access. Letters, phone calls and emails are traditional methods of contact, but you may want a more direct approach. Staging a peaceful rally, holding a press conference or arranging a personal meeting garner attention and an audience.

Step 3
Write a petition. Most legislators are invested in their constituents’ interests. Demonstrate your position on a bill with a petition showing how many people feel the same way. With online petition sites, distribution has never been easier. Write a concise, factual, reasonable statement and obtain as much support as possible.

Step 4
Write a letter. A letter from a constituent can have real sway. It must be well-constructed and well-reasoned. Stick to the facts and avoid a partisan slant. Explain how the bill will affect the local constituency. Most importantly, know exactly whom you are addressing. Research the representative’s past voting record, and indicate that you are familiar with the substance of the bill and the legislator's position on similar measures. Once the letter has been sent, try to have it printed in a local newspaper so others can follow suit.

Step 5
Build a grassroots movement that supports your stance. The more pressure you can put on your representatives, the more likely they are to vote your way. Supporters can help stage a rally, participate in petition distribution, give validity to a lobbying cause and write their own letters.

Step 6
Use social networking to start building a movement. Explain clearly and convincingly why others should fight the bill and give explicit instructions to act. For example, write, “Email Senator Adams at adams@senate.gov, and tell him that passing bill XYZ will put too many of his voting constituents out of work.”

Resources and References
 The American Interest; Power Made Easy: How to Testify Before Congress; Patricia Murphy
 Wellstone Action!: Being a Successful Citizen Lobbyist
 Change.org: How to Write a Petition
 Project Vote Smart: Biographical Information