Want to Influence Government? Start With Your Story

[The following article is excerpted from "Citizen’s Handbook for Influencing Elected Officials."]

Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-California) wanted to make a firm statement in support of continued funding of the federal government’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) during the recent government shutdown debate. But instead of making a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, she traveled to the Wilmington neighborhood of her Los Angeles district to a YMCA that was distributing fresh food and vegetables to people in need. She posted stories on X and described, in very practical terms, the people she met, their family stories, and the importance of food assistance programs.

There is a cloud of cynicism that envelopes American politics, leading many to believe that their voice doesn’t make a difference. And, sure, on some politically charged issues, like guns or immigration, it is probably unlikely that one story will change a politician’s position. But on everything else (which is most of what Congress does), it is impossible to overstate the importance of constituents’ personal stories and the influence they have in the policy process.

During an interview with a member of Congress for a book I was writing on citizen engagement, I asked him to recount to me a difficult decision he made in the past and what were the factors that influenced his final decision. “Oh yes,” he said immediately. “The issue was federal funding for stem cell research,” which is quite controversial due to its connection to the abortion debate. He explained to me that he was genuinely torn on the issue and had not come to a final decision. Then, one day, he was visited by a teenager from his district. “Congressman, I have juvenile diabetes,” the young man said to the congressman, “and it is my hope that this research might someday lead to a cure for me and others like me.” The congressman leaned into me and said, “That meeting just stuck with me.” He explained how he did further research on the topic and eventually became a cosponsor of legislation to increase funding for the stem cell research … and he was a pro-life Republican.

Legislators trying to determine the best policy outcome can wrestle with facts and figures until they are blurry-eyed. And yet, when they come face-to-face with an actual person whom the policy affects, it completely focuses their thinking. They no longer see data and reports associated with that policy; they see a person. And no matter the legislator’s position on the issue—pro or con—she feels an obligation to the person: either to help him, or to adequately explain why she can’t. “The most effective way to influence a lawmaker is for a constituent to talk to a legislator about how the policy will affect the person or a particular group,” said one House Democrat.

If the story is powerful enough and demonstrates some societal injustice or ill, it can actually be translated into legislation. “Meagan’s Law” requires law enforcement authorities to make information regarding sexual offenders available to the public. It was enacted because of the powerful story of a little girl who was abducted, raped, and killed. There is now a popular trend of naming bills after victims, such as “Heather’s Law,” “Rachel’s Law,” “Haley’s Act,” and the Amber Alert system.

On the lighter side, a constituent told a congressman about an unpleasant experience he had at the doctor’s office. After being told to disrobe and put on a flimsy paper smock that didn’t close in the back, the man was asked to sign papers related to his care without fully understanding their meaning. He felt quite uncomfortable and disadvantaged in the setting—and told his congressman so. This led the legislator to introduce a bill, “The No Private Contracts to Be Negotiated When the Patient is Buck Naked Act.” Amusingly, this bill was introduced by Rep. Pete Stark (D-California), so it quickly became known as the “Stark Naked Act.” (It actually gained 18 cosponsors!)

One House Democrat, who was a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, had a memorable experience that demonstrates the value of personal stories. “I went to a luncheon that was hosted by cancer centers in my state,” he said. “Instead of having those guys in white coats doing their lobbying, they brought in patients—kids and their parents. They all got up and told their story. When it was done, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. They gave us the human importance of those dollars we're being asked to appropriate. Every group needs to do that.”

By putting a face on an issue, the citizen-advocate makes the policy pitch real in a way that a lobbyist cannot. “I’ve seen my boss change his mind because of a personal story,” said one House chief of staff. When petitioning the government and meeting with a federal, state, or local lawmaker, the smart citizen-advocate will come to the meeting with the most powerful tool at their disposal: their story.

Bradford Fitch is the former CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation and author of “Citizens’ Handbook for Influencing Elected Officials.”