For more than a decade, CMF has researched and studied communication between Members of Congress and their constituents. We find that Members of Congress value authentic interaction and communication with their constituents more than ever. Yet as citizens take advantage of online advocacy opportunities, congressional offices find it difficult to maintain genuine congressional-citizen discourse as they devote more resources to simply manage the growing volume of constituent communication. This is part of CMF's ongoing effort to improve congressional operations and enhance communications, understanding, and the relationship between citizens and Congress.
FEATURED RESEARCH
Building Trust by Modernizing Constituent Engagement
This report is designed to help new and veteran offices better understand why and how to create a Constituent Engagement Strategy that goes beyond responding to incoming mail. The brief provides insight into and guidance on: the importance of building constituent trust in Members, Congress, and democracy; CMF's 10 principles for robust citizen engagement; how to create a Strategic Constituent Engagement Plan that serves Member goals and constituent needs; and how to streamline reactive communications, which will always represent the bulk an office's constituent engagement. Read more
Other reports and Resources
The Future of Citizen Engagement: Rebuilding the Democratic Dialogue
This report explores the current challenges to engagement and trust between Senators and Representatives and their constituents; proposes principles for rebuilding that fundamental democratic relationship; and describes innovative practices in federal, state, local, and international venues that Congress could look to for modernizing the democratic dialogue. Read more
The Future of Citizen Engagement: What Americans Want from Congress & How Members Can Build Trust
Through a series of national polls, this report explores how Members of Congress and staff can change their communications practices, habits, and objectives to build greater trust in the institution and convince constituents that their views genuinely do matter. In addition to the findings, the report offers the foundation for a strategic constituent engagement plan as well as advice for how Members can build trust. Read more
The Future of Citizen Engagement: Coronavirus, Congress, and Constituent Communications
Based on a survey of and interviews with senior congressional staffers in the House and Senate, this report explores how Members of Congress and their staff engaged with citizens while navigating the constraints posed by COVID-19, and offers examples of how Congress can substantively connect with constituents using modern technology against the backdrop of a global pandemic. Read more
Citizen-Centric Advocacy: The Untapped Power of Constituent Engagement
This report reveals the degree of influence that citizens have on congressional decision-making. It is the most comprehensive research ever published on citizen engagement with Congress. Read more about this report
#SocialCongress 2015
This report, based on two online surveys of congressional staff conducted between July and August 2014, provides an overview of how they view and process social media. It also discusses the implications of the research for citizens when communicating with congressional offices through social media platforms.
Face-to-Face with Congress: Before, During, and After Meetings with Legislators
This report provides guidance to citizens for setting up, conducting, and following up after meetings with Members of Congress and their staff. The findings are based on CMF’s 37-year history of working with Congress and on four online surveys of congressional staff taken between 2010 and 2013.
How Citizen Advocacy Is Changing Mail Operations on Capitol Hill
This report investigates how email and the Internet are affecting office procedures in Congress.
#SocialCongress: Perceptions and Use of Social Media on Capitol Hill
This report represents the first research into congressional staffers' attitudes about their offices' use of social media. The findings are based on a survey of 260 congressional staff.
Perceptions of Citizen Advocacy on Capitol Hill
This report is based on an online survey of 260 congressional staff on their opinions and practices related to constituent communications. Contrary to popular belief, constituents trump lobbyists.
Recommendations for Improving the Democratic Dialogue
In 2008, after nearly 10 years of research, outreach, and study, CMF released recommendations and suggested improvements to the structure and processes for managing congressional communications.
How The Internet Has Changed Citizen Engagement
This report explains the results of a nationwide survey of more than 10,000 citizens on their methods, reasons, and expectations with regard to their communications with Capitol Hill.
Conference: Dispelling Myths and Discussing Solutions
On October 1, 2007, CMF held this conference as a forum for information sharing, education, and problem-solving with all sides of the communications equation.
Read more about this conference
How Capitol Hill Is Coping With the Surge in Citizen Advocacy
In 2005, CMF surveyed and interviewed more than 300 House and Senate staffers on their opinions and practices related to constituent communications.
