Congressional Section
Write your Congressional Representatives
To write your Senator or House Representative:
Click: http://congress.org
Select "U.S. Congress" in the left-hand menu.
Enter your zip code and click GO. (If a zip code box is not found on
the home page, select "U.S. Congress" from the left-hand menu.)
Then follow any other instructions, if required.
Below the picture of your congressperson, click "email" to
immediately send an email, or "info" to learn more your congressperson.
It's best to send your letter by FAX and also by email. FAX ensures that
your letter definitely receives attention.
Letters to Congress
The most effective letters follow these simple guidelines:
- Reference to the specific piece of legislation, if any, is included
up front, e.g., Senate bill: S.____ or House bill: H.R.___.
- Only one issue is addressed and the purpose of the letter is stated
in the first paragraph.
- The letter is courteous, to the point, and includes specifics to support
the position made.
Representatives should be addressed as follows:
Senators
The Honorable [full name]
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator [last name]:
Representatives
The Honorable [full name]
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative [last name]:
Chairpersons or Speakers
Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:
Dear Mr. Speaker:
Emails to Congress
Your e-mail should always include:
Your name
Your address
Your city, state, zipcode
Your phone number
Dear [Congressperson's title] [Congressperson's last name]:
Visiting Congresspersons
Follow these suggestions for an effective meeting with a Congressperson
or his/her staff:
- Plan Ahead. Determine which Congressperson you need to meet
to achieve your purpose. Have specific goals for the meeting. Make an
appointment with the Appointment Secretary/Scheduler and be prepared
to explain your purpose, whom you represent, and your relationship to
the issue you wish to discuss.
- Be Punctual, Patient and Flexible. Arrive for the meeting on
time. The Congressperson may be late or your meeting may be interrupted
due to other pressing issues. If appropriate, continue your meeting
with a staff person.
- Be Well Prepared. Bring to the meeting information and materials
supporting your position. Have examples prepared that clearly demonstrate
the impact or benefits associated with your issue.
- Be Political. Congressional representatives are concerned about
representing the best interests of their district or state. When possible,
demonstrate the connection between what you are requesting and the interests
of the Congressperson's constituency and, of course, the interests of
the United States.
- Ask for a Commitment. When appropriate, and after fully stating
your position, ask the Congressperson for a commitment on the issue.
- Follow-up. Offer to provide additional information or answer
further questions. Follow the meeting with a thank-you letter outlining
your key points and including additional information or materials requested.
Additional Information
Common titles and job functions for Congressional
Staff
How a Bill becomes a Law
Alternative web sites to locate and write to your representatives:
http://www.house.gov
and http://www.senate.gov
Model Letters:
Template Letter to co-sponsor
"Pakistan Enduring Assistance Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009"
[or, PEACE Act of 2009] -- H. R. 1886 introduced by Congressman Howard
Berman
Mumbai
Terrorist Attack: Template Letter to your Senator - Enhanced Partnership
with Pakistan Bill: Suggested Amendments
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