K Street Cafe

Environmental issues appear to be top of mind for citizens, according to data from June’s Congressional Conversation Index (CCI). The CCI is a monthly survey, conducted by DC-based firms Adfero Group and Fireside 21, measuring the average number of constituents that contact their U.S. Representative on various issues.

Of the top ten issues eliciting citizen response, the environment ranked second highest while energy ranked fifth. When combined, the joint issues skyrocket to the top of the list. The outpouring of concern likely comes as a result of the yet unresolved oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that took place in late April.

The number one single issue for June was financial services, with increased constituent concern likely a result of the House’s recent approval of a financial reform bill that will overhaul the banking system and re-write U.S. financial rules.

Immigration shifted down from last month’s number one spot into third, with health then energy rounding out the top five.  The top ten issues on the CCI in June were (1) Financial Services (2) Environment (3) Immigration (4) Health (5) Energy (6) Medicare (7) Campaigns/Elections (8) Tax (9) Foreign Affairs (10) Judiciary.

Click image for full June data and more information about the CCI

About the CCI

The Congressional Conversation Index (CCI) is a joint effort by Fireside 21, a communications software provider to more than 100 Members of Congress, and Adfero Group, a public relations firm that runs issue advocacy and public awareness campaigns for corporations, associations and non-profits. For the first time ever, the CCI allows the public a glimpse into the issues driving citizen engagement with Congress. Each month, the CCI measures the average number of recorded emails, letters or phone calls that participating Members of the U.S. House of Representatives receive about various issues from the constituents they represent.