There was no “spring break” for FCNL advocates this year. From April 14-28, the recent congressional recess, hundreds of citizen advocates carried out more than 100 lobby visits with over 80 different congressional offices across 35 states on several of the most urgent issues before Congress. If you recently visited a congressional office, please file a lobby report!
I understand if you’re skeptical that lobbying can make a difference right now. Numbers and data are only so convincing, so here is just a small selection of April recess stories to hopefully inspire you to act in the weeks ahead:
Nearly 20 Indiana Quakers, Catholics, and high school students shared with staff for Senator Todd Young (IN) how cuts to Medicaid would not only impact them personally, but also the devastating impact of cuts on hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers.
The local office of Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) was lobbied five times by FCNL advocates who urged him to speak up against attacks on foreign assistance and to denounce indiscriminate detentions and deportations. Members of Wrightstown Friends Meeting shared how their meetinghouse benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits and asked that he protect them so other houses of worship, businesses, and individuals can help work towards an Earth restored.
A Presbyterian minister outside of Oklahoma City, OK, demanded that Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4), the top House appropriator, oppose policies that would strip away life-saving support for low-income people. In Omaha, NE, the music director of a local Episcopal church led a small group to lobby Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2). They urged the congressman to speak out against the Trump administration “dismantling agencies, firing federal employees… withholding approved funds, [and] cuts to Medicaid.” Even short drop-by visits are opportunities to speak truth to power.
Despite frustrations, FCNL advocates centered relationship building and storytelling.
In New Jersey, Advocacy Team members lobbied for Sen. Cory Booker (NJ) to support restoring funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). They also shared their disappointment that he voted against blocking weapons sales to Israel. Despite frustrations, FCNL advocates centered relationship building and storytelling.
I hope these stories inspire you to engage your members of Congress and provide ideas for how you can mobilize others in your community. For whatever is calling you to act, FCNL has resources to empower your advocacy. If you’re not finding what you need, contact us at Lobby@fcnl.org and we will do our best to support you.
