Q: What is Babies Go to Congress?
A: Babies Go to Congress is one of the most powerful pro-life events on Capitol Hill. It’s a great way for you to connect with your Lawmakers and share the great work you are doing to serve women in their state or district. It’s also an opportunity for your Lawmakers to hear directly from a client (their constituent) who has been served by your center.
The Babies Go to Congress sometimes coincides with the March for Life, providing a unique option to attend both the pro-life and pregnancy help missions.
Q: Who can attend Babies Go to Congress?
A: Any pregnancy help organization currently affiliated with Heartbeat International may participate in Babies Go to Congress. We recommend the Executive Director or President of the organization attend along with a client and her child. Due to limited space on each team and in the Congressional offices, we discourage large groups of center staff and families from attending.
Q: What happens after my interest form is submitted?
A: In the fall, as we begin preparation for Babies Go to Congress, all interest forms received will be reviewed by Heartbeat staff. Those selected will be contacted to gather key details and to learn more about your client. Once we have received those details, you will be emailed a commitment form to fill out for your staff and client's information, including travel details. As we get closer to the event, you will be emailed more information to help you and your client prepare!
Q: What is the cost to attend?
A: There are a few things to consider when budgeting to attend Babies Go to Congress. Heartbeat International will cover two meals (orientation dinner and closing luncheon) and accommodation for one night for your client's room. We will also cover travel around Washington, D.C. specifically needed for Babies Go to Congress (i.e. transportation to and from Congressional office buildings).
The pregnancy help organization is responsible for covering the cost of travel to Washington, D.C., any meals not covered by Heartbeat, and the remaining hotel nights (approx. $200-250+tax per night).
In short, the cost breakdowns are listed below.
Heartbeat International will pay for:
- Orientation Dinner - for up to 4 people, including center staff, client, and baby
- Closing Luncheon - for up to 4 people, including center staff, client, and baby
- Hotel accommodation for client's room for one night
- Transportation to and from Babies Go to Congress events
The pregnancy help organization is responsible for:
- Travel to and from D.C.
- All meals not covered by Heartbeat
- Hotel stay, minus one room for one night for the client
Q: How do I choose a client for Babies Go to Congress?
A: When choosing a client, we recommend identifying someone who has a compelling story and has had an opportunity to share her story publicly (on camera, at a banquet, etc.). It is best to choose a client who is well-spoken and not extremely shy. If the client you choose has not had practice sharing her story, you can coach her before Babies Go to Congress and we will practice on-site the night before. Also, be sure the client you choose is available to attend the Babies Go to Congress dates.
There is no age limit for the client and her child. We have had clients with teenagers and clients who are pregnant. Please use your best judgment and pray about who you should bring.
Each client must sign a release form and submit their story along with a picture of herself and her child. These stories and pictures will be used for the event and to promote the event online and through social media. The client may choose to opt out of sharing their story publicly.
Click here to fill out the release form
Q: Who will I meet with at Babies Go to Congress?
A: Heartbeat will schedule appointments for you to visit your Senators and two members of Congress (the districts your center is in and the surrounding area). We make our best effort for you to meet the actual Senator or Congressman. At times, when Congress is not in session or the Legislator is unavailable, we will meet with key staff members. It is very important to meet with staff members as they decide what to present to the Legislators.
Click to download the Capitol Hill Map
Q: How will our meetings flow at Babies Go to Congress?
A: Each team will have a Heartbeat representative with them. Meetings will begin with your Heartbeat representative explaining who Heartbeat is and our work very briefly. Then the Heartbeat representative will introduce the client and the client will share her story. After that the Heartbeat representative will introduce the center director, who will then speak about the work the center is doing and how it is impacting their community. At that time, it is appropriate to hand over your community impact report (samples below). Each meeting is about 15-20 minutes long. Please bring business cards to the meetings to give to the office.
Click to download the meeting pointers page
Click to download suggested talking points
Click to download Community Impact Report Sample
Q: Where will I stay at Babies Go to Congress?
A: Heartbeat International secures a block of rooms for Babies Go to Congress at a local hotel. All you need to do is let the Babies Go to Congress coordinator (Jessica) know your arrival and departure dates and how many rooms you will need via the commitment form, and she will secure your rooms within the block.
All rooms are charged to the Heartbeat International master bill. When the master bill is reconciled you will be sent an invoice from Heartbeat International for your accommodation expenses (typically one month after the event). You will need a credit card for incidentals at check-in.
Q: Which airport should I fly into?
A: You have three airport options when flying to the D.C. area, Reagan National Airport (DCA), Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), and Dulles International Airport (IAD). You can easily take the train or metro from DCA or BWI to Union Station. You can take a taxi or Uber from all three airports.
Map with Hotel from Union Station
Q: What should I wear to Babies Go to Congress?
A: Weather in Washington, D.C. is unpredictable. We have had anywhere from 75 degrees and sunny to a blizzard. Please watch the forecast and be prepared.
Orientation/Dinner: Business Casual
BGTC meetings: Business attire (please be sure your client is dressed appropriately, no jeans please). Please wear comfortable footwear. You will be walking a lot!
(Optional) March for Life: Dress in warm and comfortable, casual clothes with comfortable footwear.
Q: Will I have time to explore Washington, D.C. at Babies Go to Congress?
A: Babies go to Congress concludes around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. You are free to explore the city on Thursday afternoon and to extend your stay in D.C. over the weekend to explore.
Babies Go to Congress Schedule Overview
Wednesday - Orientation
- 5:30 pm - Orientation
- 6:30 pm - Dinner and Testimonies
Thursday - Babies Go to Congress Event
- 7:30 am - Meet in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency
- Travel to the House/Senate office buildings
- 8:00 am - Prayer and Photos on the Hill
- 9:00 am - House Meetings
- 10:30 am - Senate Meetings
- 12:30 pm - Luncheon on the Hill with Testimonies
- 3:00 pm - Dismiss
More Questions? Email Jessica Warner (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
