Guidance for meeting with Members of Congress in their home state
Identify your Members of Congress (1 House and 2 Senate) using the address where
you register to vote [insert MAA website link]
At certain times of the year, such as the “August recess,” many Members of Congress are at home for extended periods of time and meet both individually and in groups (town halls) with their constituents
Identify your local office contact for each Member of Congress through their website information
Call the local contact and request an opportunity to meet directly with the Member of
Congress and/or attend a town hall if appropriate
Once the interaction is arranged, prepare tailored talking points working from MAA background materials
Research the background of the Members of Congress and their policy positions
Conduct the meeting
Report the results to MAA at [enter MAA contact info]
Consider also conducting a virtual meeting with congressional staff as described below
Guidance for virtual meeting with key staff of Members of Congress
Identify your Members of Congress (1 House and 2 Senate) using the address where you register to vote [insert MAA website link]
Call the Washington, DC office on the identified on the website of each Member of Congress and ask who on staff handles NSF appropriations and their email address
Compose email to staff members requesting an opportunity to discuss Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations for NSF and attach or include your earlier advocacy email on the subject [OPTION: include the staff meeting request in the initial email as well].
Once the virtual meeting is set, prepare tailored talking points working from MAA background materials
Research the background of the Members of Congress and their policy positions
Conduct the virtual meeting
Send a “thank you” note after the meeting including the core request
Report the results of this interaction to MAA at [enter MAA info contact]
Talking Points for meeting with Member of Congress or Staff on NSF FY26 Funding
Introduce self, where you live, and your role in mathematics
Describe how you have seen mathematics impact people’s lives and the US economy
Share how the National Science Foundation has factored into your career and into the development of mathematics at your organization
The ask: Request support for no less than the $9 billion recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee for NSF in Fiscal Year 2026
Also note the importance of maintaining a Division of Undergraduate Education or a similar component of NSF to advance mathematics
This level of funding and organizational structure will help ensure that American leadership in mathematics research, education, and workforce development will continue to foster economic and national security
Thank for their attention and offer to be a resource for answering any questions in the months ahead