ELCA Advocacy

By Alex Parker, ELCA Advocacy Coordinator

August may be a couple of months away, but now is actually an important time to think about August Recess. Steps now can help Congress’ summertime break be your time to shine.

What is August Recess?

Sometimes advocating is tricky. When your lawmakers are all the way in Washington, D.C., and letters and phone calls seem impersonal, it can feel like your lawmakers are not actually hearing from you. Letters and phone calls to D.C. are still incredibly important and effective! But August is an opportunity for more relational contact. 

August Recess is traditionally a month-long exodus from Washington, D.C., where your lawmakers return to their home state to engage with people like yourselves! Even more excitingly, it is a midterm election year, which means all members of the House of Representatives are campaigning, and even some senators are running for reelection. This makes August Recess this year a prime window for advocacy from ELCA members. 

What makes August special? 

There are at least three things that make August Recess that prime window. First, congressional offices switch gears from legislating to listening. As they schedule town halls, site visits, community events and more, they are focusing more on engaging directly with constituents rather than crafting future legislation. And while they might be campaigning, there is less noise and pressure from Capitol Hill politics, meaning your message won’t be lost in the noise. This is also a chance to hear directly from them, bring up your lived experiences and ask deep questions. 

Second, it is a chance to express your concerns in a timely fashion, especially since it overlaps with the yearly fiscal budget planning process.  Such budget planning is also known as appropriations, a process that requires spending bills to be passed before the end of September to fund the federal government and other significant programs. This includes things such as agricultural nutrition programs and even the Lutheran World Federation Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, which are key ELCA priorities during the budget cycle. August is therefore a key time to let your lawmakers know where you think the U.S. should be spending its money.   

Third, and arguably most importantly, the August Recess allows for personal interaction which can build trust and rapport with your Members of Congress and their teams. Relationship-building is one of the most effective things an advocate can do. Building these connections – based on our faith values, respect, empathy and listening – will set the stage for a more personal, engaged advocacy with the office in the future. The next request for meetings is more likely to be met with openness, and your policy priorities and message will be more likely to break through. 

How can you get started? 

While lawmakers step away from Capitol Hill to return home, it is important that you reach out to their scheduling offices now to book a meeting or event with your representatives. Their schedules are already receiving many requests, so it is imperative that you send an invitation as quickly as possible!

Need help crafting a meeting request, wonder where you should send the invitation, or feel curious about some best practices for engaging with your lawmakers during the August Recess? Look no further than the ELCA’s August Recess Guide for help!

Is the representative’s schedule already booked, or did the timing not work out? No worries! You can always request a virtual meeting instead. Use the ELCA’s Virtual Visits Guide to help you prepare for the online environment. Town Halls are also a great opportunity to have your voice heard and are an even better opportunity to bring friends and others who are interested.

Once you have your meeting booked, whether a town hall or congregational site visit, it is important that you and anyone else in your group prepare and strategize. Research your legislator’s positions on the areas of concern you and anyone else in your group must prepare or reach out to your ELCA-affiliated State Public Policy Office or our ELCA Witness in Society Office for clarifications and tips. You can always use the ELCA In-District Meeting Guide to help prepare and structure your time with your representative.

Your voice matters 

This may seem like a lot, and it can look overwhelming. But the most important reminder is to be yourself. You are the constituent, and your voice matters. Remember to follow up, continue reaching out, and build relationships with the members and their staff. 

So, reach out for scheduling and start planning!