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.

Recent Congressional Visits Day: On 19-20 March 2024, Optica held a Congressional Visits Day (CVD) for Optica members to visit the offices of their Congressional Representatives to discuss optics and photonics, R&D funding, STEM workforce, and quantum. The next CVD has not yet been scheduled. Check back on this page at a later date.

Question or comments? Email us at publicaffairs@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

Get Involved

U.S. Capitol Hill Visits

Get Involved

U.S. Capitol Hill Visits

Read Blogs from Past Participants:

Photos from Past Virtual and In-Person Capitol Hill Meetings: