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Plan a Meeting with Your Congressperson About Supporting a Constitutional Amendment and Other Solutions to Citizens United

Meeting with your representatives in Congress to tell them how you feel about a specific issue is a vital part of our democracy. These elected officials are there to serve you. Your input helps them represent you more effectively. If you're interested in planning a meeting with a member of Congress, let us know by signing up here.

Below are the steps you’ll need to take to set up a meeting.

1. Determine whether your congressperson and senators have already endorsed an amendment and/or the legislation you want them to cosponsor.

Use this form to check if they support an amendment. Use the Library of Congress's "Thomas" legislation tracking site to check if they support the Shareholder Protection Act (H.R. 2517, S. 1360) — or any other legislation you want them to support.
If your congressperson and senators have not yet expressed support for an amendment, you can set up a meeting to make the case for why you believe passing an amendment is essential to saving our democracy. Ask them to sign United for the People’s Declaration for Democracy – a broad statement indicating support for constitutional remedies to address Citizens United and related cases that have allowed corporations and the super-wealthy to subvert our elections and our democracy.
If your congressperson and senators already support an amendment strategy, set up a meeting to thank them for their support. Then, ask them to take the next step by sponsoring a proposed amendment currently being considered by Congress.
We’re encouraging members of Congress to co-sponsor the OCCUPIED Amendment (H.J.Res. 82), introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and its counterpart in the Senate, the Saving American Democracy Amendment (S.J. Res. 33), introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

2. Once you know whether they support an amendment, contact the local office of your representative (we are prioritizing outreach to the House of Representatives; if you want to meet with your senators, their information is available here).

Most will ask you to put your request in writing. Use this sample letter (PDF) for members of Congress who have not yet signed onto an amendment (the letter can easily be modified to use for members who are already supporting an amendment).
Be persistent in setting up the meeting. Members of Congress and their staff are busy. Don’t feel bad about contacting them multiple times to follow up on your request. Be polite but persistent.
Do your best to obtain a meeting with the congressperson or senator in person, but do not despair if you end up meeting with a member of their staff instead. The meeting will still be a powerful way to make your case and move your member of Congress to support of an amendment.

3. Once you have scheduled a meeting, you’ll need to prepare for it. Here are some things to consider and links to documents to include in a packet that you should bring with you to your meeting:

Why is supporting a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United important? Here is a fact sheet you can share. (PDF)
Is there public support for a constitutional amendment? Polls indicate the answer to this question is a resounding YES across all parties.
Here is another one: Seven in 10 Would Send Super PACs Packing.
Also, here is some good information about businesses speaking out against Citizens United: Small Businesses Poll Strongly Against Citizens United (PDF); Business Statement calling to Overturn Citizens United (PDF).
Finally, here are Conservative Talking Points (PDF) that make the case for an amendment from a conservative point of view. Depending on who your representative is, these may be helpful in your meeting.
For additional information on the Shareholder Protection Act – a key piece of legislation that will empower the public to hold corporations accountable for their political spending – visit our frequently asked questions page.
For additional information about how the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can step up to require disclosure corporate political spending, read our blog about what the SEC can do.

During your visit, be prepared to ask your members of Congress to take action. He’s a sample of a letter they can send to urge the SEC to require disclosure and accountability.

4. At the meeting, ask for a commitment in support of the Declaration for Democracy and/or the OCCUPIED / Saving Our Democracy Amendment and the Shareholder Protection Act, and ask your representative if she or he will send a letter to the SEC. If she or he is not willing to commit on the spot, ask what additional information they need to help make their decision. Also ask when you and your allies may follow up to secure a commitment from them.

5. Send a thank you letter/ e-mail and remind your congressperson and senators that you will be following up to confirm their position on a constitutional amendment and other reforms to limit the impact of unlimited secret corporate money in elections if you have not received confirmation from them already.

Questions? Don't hesitate to contact Public Citizen by sending an email to amendment@citizen.org

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