Fly-ins and ‘sustained communication’ from business owners and employees can gain attention of lawmakers who shun lobbyists With some members of the deficit supercommittee vowing to restrict fundraising and access to lobbyists, constituent contacts and visits are one way to try to influence their deliberations. “Members of Congress need their constituents out there to vote for them,” said Judith Thorman, senior vice president of government relations at the International Franchise Association, which she joined in June from the American Beverage Association. “Ultimately, they want to hear from the guys who run businesses back home.” But the Joint Select Committee on Deficit… Read More