Reflections on lobbying in D.C.
by Jasmin Maurer, PEP Lobby Intern
When I found out that I would be working as the lobby intern for the Peace Economy Project, my first thought was that this would be an exciting opportunity. My second thought was, am I going to be trained on this?
The idea of walking into state representatives’ offices and telling them my thoughts on why the defense budget should take some cuts was an intimidating one. I know that I am passionate about my beliefs, but I worried that I couldn’t back it up with convincing facts. I worried that I wouldn’t know what to say or do or that I’d somehow mess up the whole meeting. I’d never met with Congress before.
I quickly learned my first lesson of my internship: making change isn’t about walking into a room and telling someone how to do things. It all starts with a lot of research. Compiling talking points. Making contacts to schedule meetings. Following up with those contacts with phone calls. Following up with more phone calls. Making changes to the agenda at the last minute because that one office finally called you back.
And while walking around in a suit and heels all day may seem glamorous, it’s not. It hurts your feet and you sweat constantly throughout 100 degree and humid days.
Nine meetings later, I’d say the band aids covering the blisters on my toes were all worth it. We met with aids from various offices, including one face-to-face meeting with State Representative Lacy Clay. We also met with aids from the offices of members on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.
In some of these meetings, the office agreed with the Peace Economy Project’s Congressional Appeal asking them to honor cuts to the Defense Budget as outlined in sequester. In other meetings, the office did not agree. Through all of these talks, I learned through watching the executive director, practicing, and sometimes failing when to ask questions, when to listen, and when to state my case on the subject.
As each meeting went by, I felt more and more confident in my ability to present PEP’s ask to people who suddenly seemed less intimidating. I had done my research, just like they did. Coming to the table prepared turned out to be the most important part of the whole process. The second most important part being in that we were just there, delivering the voices of PEP’s Congressional Appeal signatories in the wake of defense lobbyists.
This trip was even more important in that a defense budget bill was being voted on that week in the House of Representatives. There was a sense of duty felt as we walked down the hallways of the House buildings, dropping off our signatures, making our talking points, and ensuring that the voices of the people who signed PEP’s Appeal were heard.
I am glad to have had this chance to travel to Capitol Hill with PEP. Not only do I now know a lot more about the Budget Control Act and sequester, but I have also gained confidence in raising my voice against inflating the Defense budget. And I’d say that’s a valuable skill to have gained.
