Government does not simply belong to the people. As Anthony Verdugo put it during this edition of Sound Money Hour, it belongs to “the people who show up.”
That message was at the heart of a conversation between Lynette Zang, Daniel Diaz, Kim Coleman, and Anthony Verdugo about citizen lobbying and, specifically, how ordinary people can effectively testify before a legislative committee.
Anthony brought 30 years of legislative lobbying experience to the discussion. Daniel explained that this conversation was the fourth installment in a series designed to teach citizens how to participate in the legislative process, including efforts surrounding sound money legislation.
For people who believe in physical gold and silver, sound money strategies, and protecting the public's ability to choose forms of money outside the fiat monetary system, the message was practical: understanding the issue is not enough. Citizens also need to understand how to make their voices heard.
Can One Citizen Really Make a Difference?
According to Anthony, absolutely.
When his organization takes citizens to the Florida Capitol, he tells them that one person's physical presence represents roughly 5,000 other people who may share that individual's views but cannot personally travel to Tallahassee and testify.
That is why showing up matters.
One person may seem insignificant inside a large political system. But when dozens or hundreds of citizens appear in support of legislation, lawmakers see something very different. They see an organized constituency willing to invest time and effort in an issue.
This is particularly relevant to sound money legislation. During the discussion, Anthony used gold and silver legislation as an example of how citizens can present specific arguments to lawmakers, including gold's role as a hedge against inflation, its history as currency, and whether proposed legislation would mandate that businesses accept gold and silver as payment.
Before You Testify, Understand How a Bill Gets There
A legislative hearing is not the beginning of the process.
Anthony explained that a bill first needs sponsors in the House and Senate. Once a sponsor is secured, the proposal goes through bill drafting so that it is put into the appropriate legislative structure and form.
Then comes another major hurdle: getting the bill heard.
Bills are typically assigned to committees or subcommittees based on subject matter. But assignment does not guarantee a hearing.
The committee chair generally controls the agenda. If a bill is never placed on that agenda, it can die in committee.
And even passing one committee does not guarantee that the next committee will hear it.
As Anthony emphasized, advocates effectively begin the lobbying process again at every stage.
Choosing the Right Legislative Sponsor Matters
Kim Coleman and Anthony stressed that the sponsor of a bill can have enormous influence over whether legislation advances.
Relationships matter. Experience matters. Seniority can matter.
Anthony generally prefers an experienced legislator with a proven record of successfully moving legislation rather than a first-year lawmaker, when that choice is available.
There can be exceptions. Daniel pointed to Florida's sound money legislation, which had a freshman legislator involved along with a more experienced co-prime sponsor. That combination helped bring greater legislative experience into the effort.
The broader lesson is that advocates should not simply find someone willing to put their name on legislation. They should think strategically about who can actually help move it.
Leadership can also play a decisive role.
Committee chairs may control their agendas, but legislative leadership can influence whether legislation ultimately moves forward. Anthony described situations in which speaking directly with leadership helped legislation that previously had little traction begin moving through the process.
Prepare Before You Ever Approach the Microphone
For citizens who have never attended a legislative committee hearing, the setting can feel intimidating.
The panel's advice was simple: watch one first.
Anthony recommended watching recorded legislative hearings online to become familiar with the process. Citizens can observe where people sit, how lawmakers interact, how speakers address the committee, how testimony is structured, and how quickly hearings can move.
Kim also stressed that every state has different procedures.
Texas, for example, may require speakers to register in advance. Utah may operate differently. Florida provides its own procedures.
Before attending a hearing, citizens should learn:
- Whether advance registration is required
- Whether same-day registration is available
- How much speaking time is typically allowed
- Whether written materials can be provided
- Whether remote testimony is permitted
- What rules apply to signs, buttons, stickers, or other displays of support
Do not assume the process is identical from one state to another.
You May Have Only 30 Seconds to Make Your Case
Citizens should also prepare for an uncomfortable reality: you may have far less time than expected.
Depending on the number of bills and speakers, Anthony said testimony might be limited to two minutes, 90 seconds, one minute, or even just 30 seconds.
That means preparation is essential.
Anthony does not recommend walking to the microphone and simply reading a prepared speech without looking up. Instead, he prefers a short list of essential bullet points.
For example, testimony on gold and silver legislation might include points such as:
- Gold as a hedge against inflation
- Gold's historical use as currency
- Whether the legislation mandates businesses to accept gold and silver
- The specific problem the legislation is designed to address
The goal is to know which points absolutely must be communicated and then speak naturally around them.
That becomes even more important when a group is testifying together. Kim recommended listening closely to previous speakers and coordinating so that important arguments are covered rather than unnecessarily repeating the same point.
How to Begin Your Legislative Testimony
Professionalism matters.
Anthony recommended acknowledging the chair, vice chair, and members of the committee before identifying yourself and stating your position on the bill.
From there, get to the point.
Explain who you are, whether you support or oppose the legislation, what problem you believe the legislation addresses, and why lawmakers should care.
You do not have to be a professional speaker.
In fact, Kim repeatedly emphasized that lawmakers understand citizens may be nervous. They are not grading your public-speaking ability.
Prepare carefully, but do not allow nervousness to keep you from participating.
For those who want additional practice, Anthony recommended public-speaking courses or organizations such as Toastmasters. He also suggested attending local government or legislative meetings simply to observe until the environment becomes more familiar.
You Can Participate Without Giving a Speech
Showing up does not necessarily mean speaking.
In Florida, Anthony explained, participants can indicate their support or opposition on a speaker card while waiving their opportunity to speak. Their position is still entered into the record.
That can be especially valuable for someone attending a hearing for the first time.
A group might bring 50 supporters even though only 20 or 25 actually testify. The others can still register their support.
Anthony also recommended distributing supporters throughout the hearing room rather than placing everyone in a single section. Visible support can help lawmakers recognize the breadth of interest surrounding an issue.
Where permitted, buttons, stickers, or shirts displaying support for a particular bill can also make that presence more noticeable.
Prepare for the Questions Lawmakers Might Ask
One of the toughest questions a legislative advocate can receive sounds deceptively simple:
“Give me an example.”
Anthony said this can expose someone who understands a proposal only at the surface level.
If legislation is intended to solve a specific problem, advocates should be prepared to explain where that problem has actually occurred and how the proposed legislation addresses it.
For state legislation, state-specific examples can be particularly important.
Lawmakers may also want to know whether similar legislation has already passed elsewhere. Anthony explained that lawmakers can be more comfortable with legislation when other states have already adopted comparable measures.
He cited gold and silver legislation as an example, noting that multiple states had already adopted such legislation when Florida considered its own bill.
Kim recommended studying the questions asked during each committee hearing because the same objections may appear again in subsequent committees or in the other legislative chamber.
Work with the bill sponsor. Ask what concerns lawmakers are raising. Identify the questions opponents are likely to ask.
Preparation should extend well beyond the speech itself.
The Fastest Way to Hurt Your Own Cause
When Daniel asked what citizens do that can immediately damage their cause, Anthony's answer was direct: insulting legislators.
Being combative, condescending, or personally offensive is counterproductive.
Even when a lawmaker behaves poorly, Anthony said citizens should not respond in kind.
“A lack of decorum from a member of the committee does not give you license to engage in a lack of decorum.”
Take the high road.
Kim similarly advised against hyperbole and exaggerated examples. Instead, tell lawmakers how the legislation affects your life, family, community, or business.
The objective is persuasion, not confrontation.
Citizens are entering the room to help lawmakers make an informed decision. Treat the process accordingly.
Passing One Committee Is Only the Beginning
After public testimony concludes, committee members deliberate and vote, although the precise process varies by state.
A favorable committee vote builds momentum, but it does not guarantee that the bill will become law.
The legislation may still have additional committees to clear. Advocates must continue lobbying, communicating with the sponsor, answering questions, and following up with lawmakers.
Daniel noted that in some states a committee may hear testimony on one day and vote later. If lawmakers request additional information, advocates should follow through with the promised statistics, data, or other materials.
Anthony also recommended bringing talking points for lawmakers who already support the bill. Those materials can help allies respond when opponents raise objections.
The lesson is simple: the work continues after the hearing.
After every step, advocates should ask what worked, what did not, what concerns emerged, and which lawmakers need additional information before the next stage.
Sound Money Requires Citizens Who Are Willing to Show Up
The purpose of this Sound Money Hour discussion was not to make citizen lobbying seem complicated. It was to make it less intimidating.
Watch a hearing.
Learn your state's rules.
Prepare your core arguments.
Show up professionally.
Speak clearly.
Treat lawmakers respectfully.
Follow up afterward.
And if you cannot physically travel to your state capitol, investigate whether your state allows remote testimony.
As the conversation concluded, Anthony offered the principle that captured the entire discussion:
“It belongs to the people who show up.”
Lynette connected that directly to the fight for sound money.
For those concerned about protecting monetary choice and advancing legislation involving physical gold and silver, civic participation is part of the work. Understanding sound money strategies is one thing. Showing up when those principles are being debated in government is another.
As Lynette put it, “We've shown up here. Let's show up there.”
Take the Next Step Toward Sound Money
Financial freedom and wealth preservation require more than awareness. They require preparation and action. If you want to learn more about Zang International's sound money strategies and how physical gold and silver can fit into your financial preparation, connect with Zang International and continue building the knowledge you need to protect what matters most.
