Tips on Communicating with your Congressman & Senator

Letters:
A letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, the following suggestions will help improve the effectiveness of your communication.

1. Your purpose of writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it by bill number, e.g. House Bill: H.R. ________, Senate Bill: S. ________.
2. Be courteous and to the point. Include key information, using examples from your work or personal experience to make your point.
3. Address only one issue in each letter, if possible keep it to one page.
4. The most effective letters are on professional stationary and are personalized. In most instances, it is okay to mention the organization (ISNA - Flint, representing 200 families). This will help us build our visibility in Congress. Talk about your personal experience and mention that you are a member of such and such organization.
5. Address your letter to the Member that represents the area in which you live or where you work. In either case, use the appropriate return address. Congressional offices look at the return address first before processing each letter. If you don't know the name of your Senator or Representative, check your phone book.

Addressing Correspondence

Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as: Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman; or Dear Mr. Speaker.

Phone Calls:
Phone calls are also important. The telephone number for the US Congress is (202) 224-3121. Ask for your Senator/Representative by name, or give your zip code. You will be transferred to the right office. Each office keeps a tally of opinions voiced by phone and reports it to the member at the end of the week. It is okay if you leave the message with an intern or other staff person.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. State that you would like to express an opinion on xyz.
2. State your opinion as correctly as possible.
3. Offer to follow up with any information the Member or Staff person might need.
4. Leave your contact information if they should want to follow up with you personally.
    

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Last modified: 02/25/08.