Thousands of congressional bills are introduced every congressional session, but very few actually become law. It is very common to feel discouraged about the entire legislative system, especially everything this nation has gone through in the last two years. But there are ways to make that difference.
The tools with the biggest impact on legislative policy are often overlooked, and that is social media and traditional media. For example, when Vanessa Guillen’s family protested the treatment of her missing status outside of Fort Cavazos (then Fort Hood) gates, the traditional media exposed this situation to the nation. This gave an opportunity for social media to push the issue, #IamVanessaGuillen exposed the systemic and widespread issue of military sexual harassment and assault. And you know what? Elected officials heard them, so much so that Congress held multiple hearings where the military, survivors, and advocates were able to be heard. These social media frenzies also prompted the Army and the Department of Defense to closely investigate the leadership and operations of Fort Cavazos and the entire military. The end result was getting the “I am Vanessa Guillen Act” added to the National Defense Authorization Act, and it was signed by President Joe Biden and the act took effect January 1, 2022.
So, what can you do? First, educate yourself on how public policy can be enacted. Sometimes the fastest way for policy to change is with executive orders, which mayors, governors, and the president can create and sign. The most notable executive order in this case is President Truman’s when he ordered that the military desegregate its forces. However, getting this done can be difficult because it may not receive proper visibility on the issue to be completed. To make a difference in legislative policy, some actions may require a majority vote or two-thirds. So, understanding this could determine how you plan the fight. To fully understand these fine print rules, you will have to read the Constitution at the applicable level.
Second, get familiar with your elected officials, city, county, state, and federal. Elected officials often have town halls, even virtual nowadays with the pandemic, they write op-eds and make appointments with constituents. I highly recommend that you contact your elected office and set up an appointment with a staff member.
Third, voice your opinions. Try anything to be heard, this could include writing articles, starting a letter-writing or social media campaign, and staging a protest or walk. Do not take no for an answer, never give up, and never surrender.
