Post #6 Larry Shepard; Mike lee U.S. senator for Utah

Constitutional requirements:

two sebatirs from each state

six years term

citizen for at least nine years

resident of the state they represent

30 years of age

vice president of the U. S. serves as president for the senate.

Exclusive Responsibilities:

confirm presidential nominations

ratify treaties

try impeachments initiated in House

U.S. Senate Staff:

legislative staff primarily DC based

Staff are specialists in particular area of govt
Junior leg staff write a lot of letters

Focus for Utah staff in constituent service

Assist in interactions with govt agencies
communicate with local citizens and leaders
Mobile office
Special Projects

Unforgettable 107th Congress (2001-2002)

A deceased candidate elected to Senate
the first lady of the U.S. elected to the Senate
13 women in the Senate, would rise to 14 (first time to have women in the senate)
1st time ever: 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats.
VP Al Gore the tie-breaking vote for 17 days
with Dick Cheney sworn in, GOP in control

Unforgettable 107th Congress (2001-2002)

September 11 attacks
October 15 anthrax letter
Jim Talent special election
100th birthday of Strom Thurmond
Trent Lott toast of Thurmond led to new leader

Major Issues in 113th Congress

Fiscal Cliff-“Fiscal cliff” is the popular shorthand term used to describe the conundrum that
the U.S. government will face at the end of 2012, when the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011
are scheduled to go into effect.
Sequestration
Continuing resolution
Debt Ceiling - bollowing money in millions/billion
immigration Reform
Balance budget amendment

How to communicate with your elected officials

Do your homework (research)
Target your legislators
Champions
Allies
Fence Sitters
Mellow opponents
hard core opponents
Choose a method of communication
-in person
-letter
-fax
-email
-phone calls
-petition

Use congressional staff
Make it personal
-put a human face on your issue
-present facts, leave documentation
-10 good conversations are better than 1000

Listen
follow up
don't be a pest
try, try again