Final answer:
An official request for congressional attention on a specific issue is known as an initiative, where citizens can propose laws and have them placed on a ballot to be voted on, bypassing the legislature.
Step-by-step explanation:
An official request for congressional attention on a specific issue is best described by what is known as an initiative. An initiative is a process where citizens can bypass the legislature and place new legislation on a ballot to be decided by a public vote. This is a form of direct democracy, wherein voters have the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments without needing the direct involvement of their elected representatives.
The term 'initiative' is often associated with state-level processes in the United States and can result in a law or constitutional amendment. The process involves gathering sufficient signatures from registered voters. Once the petition has the required number of signatures, the proposed measure is placed on a ballot for a public vote.
Not to be confused with a referendum, which is a yes or no vote by citizens on a law or candidate proposed by the state government, an initiative is a proactive step taken by the citizens to address specific policies or legal changes directly.