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Whether you are sitting down with your representative or his or her staff, writing a letter or making a phone call, it is important to have something concrete to ask for. Having a strong ask allows you to more effectively hold your legislators accountable to constituent pressure, and to build good relationships when they respond and take action. This is a long list and you don’t want to ask your member of Congress for everything on it. Here are some key questions you should ask yourself when deciding what your asks will be:
What has my member of Congress already done?
Avoid wasting resources pressuring someone to do something they’ve already done. To see what bills your members of Congress have cosponsored, click here. Remember that it is also important to thank people when they have done something good so they feel supported to take strong action.
What is my member of Congress most likely to do?
Base what you’re asking for on your representative’s track record. For instance, if he or she has never voted in favor of a timeline for withdrawal, you might start with something easier like cosponsoring a bill about the refugee crisis in Iraq. If your representative has a great voting record but hasn’t been taking leadership, urge him or her to cosponsor a really strong Iraq bill or write an Op Ed about ending the war. Because this issue is so urgent and important, it can seem frustrating to work in an incremental way, but small successes with difficult members of Congress can lay the groundwork for stronger action in the future.
What can my member of Congress do that will have the most impact?
Members of Congress have different positions that make them more powerful on different issues. Is your member of Congress on a key committee? Does he or she have a leadership position, or have influence over people in leadership? These questions might help you decide what you should ask your representative to do. Relevant committees are: Appropriations, Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform.
What is my member of Congress capable of doing?
Some bills have only been offered in the House or the Senate, so make sure you are not asking a senator to cosponsor a House bill, and vice versa. Make sure you are asking them to do something that is under the jurisdiction of Congress (the list below will help).
Consider these questions when you choose from this menu of options:
Cosponsor a bill calling for a strategy to end the war in Iraq:
House of Representatives:
HR 5507: This bill would require withdrawal of all US troops and contractors from Iraq within one year, leaving behind only 500 troops to protect the embassy. This comprehensive legislation also prohibits permanent military bases in Iraq and supports diplomatic initiatives in the region.
Senate:
S 448: Introduced by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), this bill would prohibit any funds from being spent on deployment of U.S. troops in Iraq 180 days from enactment of the bill. Funds could continue to be used for limited activities in Iraq, including targeted counterterrorism operations and training for Iraqi security services.
Cosponsor a bill stating that any agreement between the US and Iraqi governments must be approved by Congress:
House of Representatives:
HR 5128: Rep. Lee's bill disapproves of any formal agreement coming from the "Declaration of Principles" between the US and Iraq, and requires that no funds be used for a formal agreement without the approval of Congress.
HR 4959: This bill requires that Congress be consulted about any long-term security, political or economic agreement with the Iraqi government, and makes clear that any such agreement needs to be in the form of a treaty.
Senate:
S 2426: A bill requiring congressional oversight for long-term agreements between the US and Iraqi governments.
Cosponsor a bill calling for a diplomatic surge to stabilize Iraq:
House of Representatives
H Con Res 321: This bipartisan bill calls for a comprehensive diplomatic effort by the US, Iraq, and Iraq's neighbors to assist in bringing about political reconciliation and stabilization.
Vote against any additional funding for the war in Iraq unless it is used for troop withdrawal, diplomacy, reconstruction and humanitarian aid.
Speak out publicly about a comprehensive strategy to end the war in Iraq through floor speeches, press releases, Op Eds, television appearances, etc.
Hold hearings on strategies for withdrawal and stabilization, the humanitarian crisis, the use of private contractors, etc. (This is only relevant for members of Congress who serve on key committees: Appropriations, Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform.)
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