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Primary Ask (Leave-Behind)
When you hold a lobby meeting, whether with an aide or with the member of Congress, they want to know what we want from them. Our Primary Ask Leave-behind sheet lets them know what we want from Congress.
Send this handout with your Member of Congress or staffer after a lobby meeting (or before if requested). It is also recommended that you use this ask to guide your conversation with them.
To download this resource click on the image of the appropriate hand-out below.
Because of the pandemic, CCL is doing things a little differently this year. Many of you may feel like your member of Congress is unable or unwilling to consider legislation for climate at this time. We expect this to be true both for some Democratic and some Republican offices. Consequently, we are providing a primary ask focused on H.R. 763, as well as a “COVID-sensitive” ask. Which one is right for you? As ever, CCL trusts our volunteers to make the right determination for their members of Congress, in consultation with the Liaison for that member of Congress.
- CCL’s primary ask of members of both chambers of Congress is: to support the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R.763).
- CCL’s COVID-sensitive ask is: to cosponsor the Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More (RECLAIM) Act (H.R.2156/S.1232).
The primary ask should be made in every meeting, unless your member is already a cosponsor of the Energy Innovation Act and/or the RECLAIM Act. If your member is already a cosponsor of the Energy Innovation Act and/or the RECLAIM Act, then focus on thanking them, finding out what support they could use in the district for this action, and perhaps how they could help recruit other sponsors or support the bill publicly. CCL’s How To Work With Existing Cosponsors training provides more recommendations.
If your member of Congress agrees to cosponsor the Energy Innovation Act during your lobby meeting, they will know what to do to take that step (i.e. contact Rep. Deutch's office). Same goes for the RECLAIM Act (i.e. contact Rep. Cartwright’s or Sen. Manchin’s office). If they agree to cosponsor or express significant interest in sponsoring either bill, please inform our CCL legislative staff by emailing danny@citizensclimate.org.
