Blog#2: Strategy
For this second blog, I did had a hard time finding more about my senator's upcoming travel dates and schedules. However, his Twitter account was helpful enough for me to know more about his speech at Utah State Legislature earlier last week.Press Releases:
Following that, his website does a pretty good job about updating his recent activities and press releases. Considering some of his latest press release which includes his position on the bicameral press conference to highlight the need for the Senate to proceed to debate on the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. Also, earlier this year, Lee in collaboration of Congressman Luke Messar of Indiana introduced legislation to make a quality K-12 education more accessible and affordable to low income families and students calling it as The Enhancing Educational Opportunities for All Act. Adding to that, Lee announced that he will chair the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights whose main focus is to ensure that the nation's antitrust law's are faithfully executed.
Focusing on some of my other interesting findings from his homepage and twitter account, was his strategy of using the tele-townhall service every month which gives him the opportunity to communicate directly with his constituents while sitting in his D.C office. I think this is a really effective initiative as a MC to be in touch with his own state even from outside which also enhances his "name-recognition" or advertising, credit claiming and position taking-the three main factors according to Mayhew that the MCs does for getting re-elected in the office.
Apart from that, Lee is also maintaining a "Mobile Office"for his constituents who are unable to meet his staffs at the other two offices at Salt Lake City and St. George, which also indicates his strategy to be in touch with his fellow constituents and keep them updated about what he is doing for them( what else does a voter wants?)
“I want my office to be open and available to all Utahns,” said Senator Lee. “The best way to achieve that is by going directly to them. Utahns deal with a range of federal issues – from Social Security to veterans benefits to navigating the bureaucracy of the federal government – and I want to be there to help them get answers"- Senator Lee.
He also maintains his Youtube channel, where all his town hall meetings and media appearances are being posted regularly.
Apart from that, Lee is also maintaining a "Mobile Office"for his constituents who are unable to meet his staffs at the other two offices at Salt Lake City and St. George, which also indicates his strategy to be in touch with his fellow constituents and keep them updated about what he is doing for them( what else does a voter wants?)
“I want my office to be open and available to all Utahns,” said Senator Lee. “The best way to achieve that is by going directly to them. Utahns deal with a range of federal issues – from Social Security to veterans benefits to navigating the bureaucracy of the federal government – and I want to be there to help them get answers"- Senator Lee.
He also maintains his Youtube channel, where all his town hall meetings and media appearances are being posted regularly.
Mailers:
Apart from meeting him in his office physically, Lee also encourages his constituents to sign up for his newsletters which includes regular updates from all of his recent sponsorship and co-sponsorship bills, agenda alerts, issue alerts and such. He also included specific issues depending upon the constituent's individual interests, that includes Education and Health Care, Energy and Land Management, Foreign policy and Veterans etc.
Bills Sponsored/ Co-sponsored:
According to the congress website, Senator Lee has introduced the following bills recently:
- S.500- A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act
- S.502- A bill to focus limited federal resources on the most serious offenders.
- S.490- A bill to achieve domestic energy independence by empowering States to control the development and production of all forms of energy on all available Federal land.
- S.507- A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to permit employers to pay higher wages to their employees.
Also as per as OpenSecrets says, during the 113th Congress Legislation, Senator Lee has sponsored 28 bills and co-sponsored 156 bills.
