Tips on Contacting Members of Congress

Tips on Writing Letters or e-mails:

Limit your letter to one page and one subject.

In the first paragraph, explain your reason for writing.  This will usually be on a specific bill, or issue.

In the second paragraph, describe the importance of an issue and share your views.  Use personal experience if possible.

In the third paragraph, request (not demand) a specific action.  This could be encouraging your Member to vote for or against the issue, or for your Member to support or not support the issue. 

In the last paragraph, make sure to thank the Member for his/her consideration of your views.

Proof read your letter-  Check that your letter is legible and has no spelling or grammar errors, and that it includes your name, address, and telephone number.

Sample letter:

Your Name 

Your Address 

City, State, Zip Code

Date

Representative Sue Myrick                       

230 Cannon House Office Building                              

Washington, DC 20515                                     

Dear Representative Myrick,

I am a student at Sun Valley High School in Indian Trail, NC.  I am writing you because I feel that taxes are too high.

I work part-time at Chick-Fil-A and taxes take up most of my paycheck.  Americans are taxed too much.  I want to keep more of my money so I can spend it on what I want.  I really like the idea of a "flat tax."   This "flat tax" would allow taxes to be collected when a person buys something. 

Currently, there is a bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 25, that creates a national sales tax. I encourage you to support this bill, and vote for it if it comes to the House Floor. 

Thank you for you listening to what I have to say.  I hope that you can fight to help keep taxes low!

Sincerely,

(Sign your name)

(Print Your Name)  

Tips for calling a Representative or Senator

A phone call to a Senator or Representative is a very effective way of voicing your concerns on an issue.  In most offices it only takes 10 phone calls to make the congressional office register an issue as a “hot issue.”

More than likely you will not talk to the member themselves, but will be talking to a receptionist that will get the message to the Representative or Senator.  So make sure you are respectful so that they will note that you called. 

When making phone be sure to include the following information:

• Who you are.  “My name is _____ and I am from _______ .

• The issue and your position on it. Give your position on an issue or piece of legislation, or an issue.  If you would like for the legislator to *co-sponsor a piece of legislation let them know that. If it is a piece of legislation that is being debated, make sure you are clear on what the legislation is. For example, you should  let the person on the phone know the bill number as well as the name of the bill (i.e. H.R. 3058, the CHINA Act ).

• How to contact you. Remember to leave your address and telephone number so that they can register that you called.  And always thank them for their time.

* A "co-sponsor" of a bill is a person who supports a bill and signed a letter saying they officially support the bill.