Mobilization of local support is essential for this strategy to succeed, and the time line for action is very short. The deadline for this action is early June, when the subcommittee will likely finish its work on the bill. Grassroots and concerned citizens who are constituents of the 13 Subcommittee members should try to meet with the Representative while he or she is in the district for the Memorial Day recess. You should remind them that the full House passed the Code in the State Department authorizing bill last year, demonstrating that it is the will of the House that this measure be passed into law. If a meeting is not possible, write or phone your Representative with the same message.
Publicity is crucial.
Talk about the role that your local Member of Congress can play in preventing a repeat of this policy by supporting passage of the Code of Conduct. Place a call to a talk radio show or other media outlets in the area. Get the word out and educate and persuade your Representative. Reps. McKinney and Rohrabacher have also pledged to re-introduce the Code as a stand alone bill this year if the appropriations strategy outlined above stalls. All grassroots activists and organizations, please focus your advocacy and media work on local Representatives, urging them to become an original cosponsor of the Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers Act of 1998.