Legislative Process 101—Appropriations (aka Government Funding)

Our government spends a lot of money (trillions of dollars) every year. Naturally, Congress, which is given the power of the purse by the Constitution, spends a lot of time deciding how much to spend and what to spend it on.

How to Have a Successful District Office Visit

As we discuss in the Indivisible Guide, every MoC has one or more local offices, but constituents very rarely visit them. The Tea Party understood this, and they knew they could make their voice heard by going in person to those offices, often unannounced. This demonstrates to them that you, their constituents, care very much about the issue you’ve come in to speak about and that you’ll be watching what they do going forward.

Digital Communications Security

Different groups communicate with each other or store information in different ways. And just like steps to ensure physical security, it’s important to consider the risks you and your group might be facing—or might not. 

How to Write Letters to the Editor that Really Get Attention

Letters to the editor might not seem like the flashiest way to get your Member of Congress’s attention. But there’s something about a sharp letter to the editor in a hometown paper that can really get under the skin of the most powerful lawmaker.

Tips From Journalists: How To Build Great Connections with Media

Legislative Process 101—Authorization vs. Appropriation

Congress is charged by the Constitution with making decisions about how to spend public money. In practice, these spending decisions are split into two parts: authorization and appropriations.

Why You Should Not Call Members Who Aren’t Yours

Calling Members of Congress (MoCs) that are not yours is actually counterproductive to successfully deploying constituent power. The only Members of Congress you should be calling are YOUR two Senators and YOUR Representative in the House. There are no exceptions. Here’s why.

Legislative 101: Whipping the Vote

What does it mean to “whip the vote,” anyway? Unity ahead of a fight is a key ingredient to legislative success, and MoCs in leadership have a fleet of tools at their disposal to make sure that their caucus stays together.

Voter Contact 101

From historic victories in Virginia to a shocking, come-from-behind win in Alabama last year, there's one thing we know for sure: when we fight we win. But election wins don’t just happen. They take lots and lots (and lots and lots and lots) of work. Voter contact is how we win.

Voter ID 101: The Right to Vote Shouldn't Come With Barriers

People have fought and died for the right to vote. Voter ID laws prevent people from exercising this right. Learn how you can fight this voter suppression tactic.