AWWA Member Outreach With a New Congress

Abstract

Every two years, a typically seamless transition takes place in the nation's capital. One Congress adjourns and a new one is sworn in. On Jan. 3, 2025, the 119th Congress began—and the race for policymakers to advance legislation to benefit their constituencies started anew.

Make no mistake, it takes time for a legislative idea to navigate the lengthy congressional process to become the law of the land. More often than not, it takes much longer than one congressional term to reach the finish line, and many legislative efforts never make it past introduction. However, with timely and consistent outreach from dedicated people across the country, changes to the nation's laws can be made—and this is the value of the annual AWWA Water Matters! Fly-In.

AWWA members are leaders in their fields who are tirelessly committed to providing safe drinking water for their communities. Utility operators and managers know better than anyone the needs of water systems, the challenges they face, and areas for improvement. These challenges and opportunities range from the cost of replacing aging infrastructure, to implementing new treatment technologies and staying ahead of cybersecurity threats, to ensuring that utilities have the revenue they need without sacrificing affordable access to water services for their communities.

Each year, AWWA's Fly-In delegates come from every state in the country to Washington, D.C., to share these concerns with members of Congress and request support for AWWA's priorities. Delegates meet with House and Senate members from all 50 states, often conducting more than 200 meetings in the span of just a few days. Their conversations can help build a strong foundation by creating a level of understanding and encouraging policymakers to take a leadership role in supporting the water sector. In many cases, they may not know about a specific issue or piece of legislation unless you tell them. Through a short conversation with a congressional office, water providers in a representative's district can be the deciding factor in whether they sign onto critical legislation.

Still, it's important to note that the work doesn’t end with the conclusion of the Fly-In, nor is it limited to the annual delegates. AWWA members have an opportunity, year-round, to meet with their elected officials locally and continue the conversations that began during the annual Fly-In. For quite some time, members of Congress have split their time between Washington and their home states, maintaining a local, or district, office with staff who are also members of your community. These district offices and staff are an excellent way to establish and maintain relationships with your congressmember or senator before and after the annual Fly-In.

While it may sound daunting to speak directly to a member of Congress or their staff, AWWA members don’t need to be expert advocates to share the insights and knowledge they have about water. Keep in mind that the person you’re speaking to was elected to represent their community's interest, and hearing from constituents gives them valuable insights that they can’t get from advocates. Some of the most successful delegates at the Fly-In speak directly to the challenges utilities are facing at home. You can amplify their message by inviting your elected officials on a simple tour of your facilities to share exactly what goes on at a water utility and how your utility is affected by decisions federal policymakers may consider. This tandem approach ensures that AWWA and its members continue to serve as the voice of water, protectors of public health, and a resource for decision makers.

The 119th Congress presents new opportunities for AWWA members and Fly-In delegates to establish relationships with newly elected officials, including 12 new senators and more than 60 new representatives. Moreover, with narrow margins of control in both chambers, every member of Congress can be the decisive vote on policy issues affecting the water sector. While many of AWWA's policy positions may not be new to those working every day in water, most members of Congress have no background in water utility operations or management, and your ability to convey your knowledge to them has never been more important.

Whether you participate in the annual Water Matters! Fly-In as a delegate or are a local resource to your Congressmember, your insight on key policy items can have a profound impact. The AWWA Government Affairs Office is always ready to assist you in developing these relationships and facilitating an opportunity for utilities to share their experiences with the 119th Congress.