Advocate – AIMBE Annual Event

Policy

Meet with Your Lawmakers

March 29-31, 2025 @ Washington, DC

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Congressional Appointment How to Advocate

Congressional Visits

This is indeed a confusing and challenging time for the scientific community. With so many changes happening, AIMBE encourages you to visit with your lawmakers during the Annual Event to lend your voice on issues that matter. Select AIMBE’s assistance in booking your meetings (choose this option in your meeting registration by Feb. 21 or until capacity is reached) to join your colleagues on Capitol Hill on Monday, March 31. AIMBE will host an advocacy training lunch to provide you with tips and talking points, as well as provide transportation to Capitol Hill.

Capitol Hill Visits: What to Expect

Making time for meetings with your legislators is an important part of being a trusted advisor to your Members of Congress. Congressional visits are not meet-and greets; come prepared to take about the policy issues that matter. Further tips are provided below:

Arrive on time, never more than 5 minutes early. Most appointments are less than 30 minutes. Start on time, get to your point, and end on time.
Don’t be surprised to meet with staff – they are the eyes and ears of lawmakers.
Introduce yourself and exchange business cards.
Tell your personal story about why your research matters
Bring a show-and-tell item. Paint a picture they can remember by showing a small item like a pacemaker or guidewire (as an example).
Do not show or bring data, charts, paper abstracts, or PowerPoint slides.
Make your “ask” for your lawmaker to take action
Close by taking a photo and/or invite the lawmaker or staff to visit your lab.

Talking Points

Starting your Visit

Begin your meeting by acknowledging that you are representing AIMBE – an honorific society of the most accomplished medical and biological engineers responsible for the innovation and discovery that improves health, lowers costs, and/or expands access.

Introduce Yourself

Give a brief “elevator” introduction explaining your name, area of research focus, and less than 60 seconds summarizing your credentials as a biomedical researcher.
Make sure they know you are a constituent and live in their district.
Explain your research focus by telling which agency funds your work and why your research wouldn’t happen without those funds. Keep it simple.

Tell a Personal Story

Tell your lawmaker: a) why basic research is critical to discovery, b) why discovery takes time and federal financial investment, c) relate your research to a discovery/cure.
Tell why your research is important. How will your research improve health, provide a cure, or address a problem.
Share an interesting story. Make it personal. Research should be more than discovery but about finding a cure, giving hope, addressing an illness or disease.