By Ambreen Ali
Groups on both side of overhaul debate are relying on individual supporters.
Both sides of the health care debate are relying on a grassroots army.
As Congress enters its second year of debate on an overhaul of the nations health care system two major national groups are continuing to reach out to millions of grassroots advocates.
The Service Employees International Union which represents health care and public service workers keeps in touch with supporters of the overhaul. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce which represents business interests is contacting opponents.
Despite their different thoughts on the issue the two groups have a similar approach.
William C. Miller Jr. who runs grassroots efforts for the Chamber regularly updates its base of 3 million supporters which he calls the family. They include employees of trade associations local chambers of commerce and other pro-business supporters.
He doesnt contact each of them directly instead sharing his teams analysis through a hierarchy of regional officers and leaders who in turn inform local boards and members.
The family becomes stronger when our extended cousins are constantly getting news about whats happening with the family in D.C. Miller said.
The grassroots has really become an important part of how the Chamber operates in recent years. In 2009 the Chambers members contacted their lawmakers 1.19 million times up from 50000 communications the year prior.
Members of Congress now know that an endorsement from the Chamber can mean thousands of votes Miller noted.
But the member-Chamber relationship is a two-way street Miller added. The 96 percent of its members who are small businesses need the guys in Washington who are fighting on their behalf.
Though its on the opposing side the SEIU employs similar tactics.
The union which represents about 1.8 million workers has set up a war room in its Washington headquarters where teams of researchers monitor the health care debate.
That information is fed to local organizers who hold town halls and try to keep the conversation around health care going.
Were keeping them focused on the fact that we have to win it now said Anna Burger a top ranking SEIU officer.
Like the Chamber the SEIU relies on its base to influence Members of Congress through letters phone calls and e-mails. The effort increased after Democrats lost their supermajority last month.
One major difference is budget. While the Chamber spent about $144 million on lobbying last year the SEIU only spent about $2.7 million.
Union organizers try to make up the difference with face time on Capitol Hill.
At any given time 20 of the 2.2 million SEIU members are in Washington meeting with lawmakers and relaying messages from their home districts. They share personal narratives from the unions numerous health care workers who favor an overhaul.
When workers tell their stories and connect it to whats going on it works Burger said.
Ambreen Ali writes for Congress.org.
