Recognizing that all politics is local, scientists will need to make clear why climate change or HIV research matters for the communities represented by members of Congress. They should take along science-savvy business leaders and locally elected officials to help make their case. And beyond the scientific leadership, there is a broader need for more individual scientists to communicate with the public. Currently, that kind of activity is not particularly valued — and is even disdained — in some fields of research. And spending time meeting with elected leaders or local journalists does not help a young scientist to get tenure.