Get Involved
U.S. Capitol Hill Visits
Communicate with your US representatives and senators by meeting with them and their staffs in Washington, DC
Get Involved
U.S. Capitol Hill Visits
Throughout the year, Optica offers its members the opportunity to communicate directly with U.S. senators and representatives. These meetings give the scientific community a voice in the halls of U.S. Congress, calling on elected officials to recognize the importance of science and technology, keep federal research and development funding levels consistent and sustainable and support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs. Optica organizes the meetings, from scheduling individual appointments to providing participants with detailed background information and talking points.
On 1 March 2023, Optica and its National Photonics Initiative partners held a Congressional Visits Day to discuss the importance of federal investments in science, development of a stable and sustainable STEM workforce, and the Congressional Optics & Photonics Caucus. Read more.
Participate in the upcoming Optica Congressional Visits Day on 28 September 2023
The next Optica Congressional Visits Day will take place in Washington, DC on 28 September 2023. Click here to learn more or sign up.
Question or comments? Email us at publicpolicyRSVP@optica.org
Read Blogs from Past Participants:
Advocating for Optics and Photonics by Julia Majors, Posted August 2021
My First 'Stint' at Advocacy: Assumptions Versus Reality by Anishkumar Soman, Posted July 2021
Photos from Past Virtual and In-Person Capitol Hill Meetings:
