On November 25th, America’s Blood Centers’ (ABC) member, The Community Blood Center, welcomed Congressman Tony Wied (R-WI) for a tour of their facility. The visit coincided with the introduction of H.R. 5791, The Boosting Lifesaving Operations, Opening Donation (BLOOD) Centers Act, a bill designed to address challenges blood centers face in licensing new fixed sites.
This milestone was not achieved overnight—it was the culmination of months of advocacy that began with a Hill visit during ABC’s Blood Advocacy Week. The journey from a conversation in Washington, D.C., to a bill introduction in Congress, underscores the power of congressional advocacy by your blood center in advancing the ABC Advocacy Agenda policy priorities.
Seeing Is Believing: Why Visits Matter
Meeting with congressional offices in Washington, D.C. is an important first step in building relationships. But inviting lawmakers into your blood center allows them to see firsthand the essential work you do.
- Context becomes reality: A tour transforms abstract policy issues into tangible challenges and solutions.
- Relationships deepen: Face-to-face conversations in the district foster trust and understanding.
- Advocacy gains impact: When members of Congress witness the blood supply in action, they better appreciate the urgency of ABC’s priorities.
This is why ABC established the Act for Blood Program—to expand advocacy by encouraging more members of Congress to visit blood centers across the country.
How to Host a Congressional Visit
The process begins with a simple step: extend the invitation. Reach out to your members’ district office or their health staffer in Washington, D.C. ABC is available to support our members through this process, which often requires persistence and coordination.
Once a date is set, planning is key. Consider:
- Which facility location to showcase
- Whether press should be invited
- Opportunities for donation demonstrations
- Key talking points and background materials
ABC provides resources to ensure every visit is both educational and impactful.
Case Study: Rep. Wied’s Visit
During his visit, Rep. Wied toured The Community Blood Center, met with staff, and discussed the newly introduced BLOOD Centers Act. He learned about the local blood supply, the challenges centers face, and the solutions ABC is advocating for.
The event also served as a platform for the Congressman to promote his bill to local press (watch the press event here), amplifying the message to constituents. This dual purpose—education and advocacy—illustrates the value of site visits in advancing legislative priorities.
From Advocacy Week to Legislation
The BLOOD Centers Act began with a conversation during the day on the Hill as part of ABC’s Advocacy Summit. The Community Blood Center representatives shared their challenges with Rep. Wied’s office, sparking collaboration with ABC staff and ABC’s Policy Council. Together, they drafted and refined bill text to ensure it would benefit blood centers nationwide.
The bill gained bipartisan support with Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) as co-lead, and despite delays from the government shutdown, was introduced on October 17th as H.R. 5791. Rep. Wied chose his local blood center as the venue to highlight the bill’s importance, a powerful reminder that advocacy starts locally.
Building Momentum
As ABC continues to grow the Act for Blood Program, we encourage members to actively engage with their lawmakers to schedule blood center visits. Whether tied to a bill introduction or focused on education, these visits are invaluable advocacy tools.
A simple meeting in Washington, D.C. led to legislation that could strengthen the nation’s blood supply. That is the power of congressional engagement!
For support in arranging a visit, please contact Lorenzo Rodriguez, ABC Government Affairs Manager, at lrodriguez@americasblood.org.
