How to Propose a Bill to Congress

If you want to propose a bill to Congress, you need to have the ear of your congressional representative or someone on the representative's staff. Only a member of Congress can propose a bill on the floor of Congress. After a bill is introduced, it has the possibility of becoming a law if it wins enough votes from members of Congress.

Recognize a legally unenforceable situation in your congressional district that you believe needs a law to make it enforceable. Educate yourself on the laws that already exist on the books for your situation. If none do, come up with an idea for a bill that your representative can introduce in Congress.

Approach your representative with your proposal via phone, mail or email. Since you are a constituent, your representative will want to hear from you. Ask for a meeting to propose your bill. You will be dealing with office staff who are very busy, so be persistent.

Get your friends, family, neighbors and strangers in your district to contact your representative's office as well. There is strength in numbers, and elected officials will respond to those numbers if they become large enough. Start an email list to further your cause. Make pages on social networking sites, and keep your representative's office informed of your progress.

Be persistent, even if you never hear back from your lawmaker. Make phone calls to the office, and keep the staff updated on your actions. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but always be polite in your interactions, remembering that your elected representative is the only one who can propose your idea for a bill before Congress.