Use AGU’s Science Policy Action Center to find your lawmakers’ Washington, D.C. phone number. You can also use their individual website to find their district office phone number(s).

Call the office and ask to schedule a meeting with the member of Congress or the relevant staffer handling your issue. Request their name and follow up via email using the standard House and Senate email formats:

• House: [email protected] (e.g., [email protected])
• Senate: [email protected] (e.g., [email protected])

Keep your request brief and be sure to include:

• Where you're from (mention if you're a constituent!)
• Your work (use clear, non-technical language)
• The issue you'd like to discuss
• Preferred meeting time

If you don’t hear back within a few days, follow up. We have a sample meeting request email to get you started.

When thinking about scheduling a meeting with your legislator, it’s always a great idea to take others with you to help strengthen your message. If you do decide to bring multiple people to the meeting, inform the office in advance.

Check the congressional calendar to see when lawmakers are in Washington, D.C. or back in their district. District meetings are best scheduled during August recess or other district work periods. When determining the ideal time to meet, it is also helpful to understand what legislation the lawmaker is considering or drafting.

Before your meeting, review your member’s stance on science issues, voting record and committee assignments. Pay special attention to:

• Member’s website: Look at their biography, committee/caucus memberships, press releases and issue pages. Even if you disagree with most of what your member does, find something recent to thank them for.
• Social media: Check the member’s X, BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn feed to see how your member views the latest issues being considered by Congress.
• Congress.gov: Find recent votes and bills they have introduced, sponsored or co-sponsored.

Your “ask” is the purpose of your visit and should be a clear, action-oriented request. It can be anything from requesting a vote on a bill to offering yourself as an expert resource. Keep it concise and emphasize its local relevance—policymakers care most about how issues impact their constituents.

Policymakers connect with stories, not just facts. To make your ask compelling, craft it as a narrative that resonates with their values and priorities. Show why your work matters through real-world impact, personal experiences and local relevance.

Consider these questions while shaping your message:

• How has your research or program directly benefited the state or district?
• Have you made a recent discovery, earned recognition, or received an award?
• Does your university contribute to the local economy or community?
• What are the congressperson’s priorities (e.g., public health, national security, STEM education), and how does your work align with them?
• What’s your personal story? Did your research bring you to region? What inspired your passion for science?

A leave behind, or “one-pager” is a document that summarizes your key points and contact information, serving as a reminder for the person you just met. It should be clear enough that someone unfamiliar with the topic can understand your main points. If you don’t have time to create one, bring a brochure or document about your research, organization, or business. Your institution’s government relations office may have a relevant one-pager available.

A typical meeting follows this structure:

1. Exchange business cards and briefly introduce yourself and your group.
2. Thank the staffer for their time and acknowledge any recent positive actions by the lawmaker.
3. Clearly state your ask.
4. Explain why your request matters and why they should care.
5. Listen to their response and answer questions.
6. Provide your leave behind and close by thanking them again.