Congressional Meeting Tips

• Start each meeting by thanking the Member/staffer for meeting with you.

• Share your personal story and explain why a specific issue is important to you. Explain the problem and how your “ask” can improve or solve it.

• Make a specific “ask”. Give Congress the solution.

• You don’t have to be an expert on legislation.

• If you are asked a question that you are not sure how to answer, write it down and be sure to follow up.

• Respect the time of the Member, staffer and fellow advocates by limiting your story to no more than a minute or two.

• Typical meetings will last 15 minutes in total.

• Email the Congressional staffer with a one-pager on your asks as well as your contact information.

• Remember rare disease issues are nonpartisan. Don’t talk about politics in your meetings.

• Report back to RDLA on how the meeting went by filling out the Online Meeting Feedback Form.

• Follow-up with a thank you note/ email reinforcing your asks.

RDLA Congressional Scorecard

TIP! Encourage your legislator to join the Rare Disease Caucus and cosponsor rare disease legislation to improve their score.

View your state specific scorecard: