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Take Action

 
Once you've got the facts and figures, let your voice be heard. Here are some tips on how to affect federal budget priorities.
Calling/Faxing Congress Writing Congress Emailing Congress Contacting the President Meeting with Elected Officials Writing a Letter to the Editor
Note: For security reasons, letters to Capitol
Hill are frequently delayed for up to two weeks. Most members of Congress
urge their constituents to call, fax or email or, if sending a letter, to
send it to their local office rather than Washington. Elected officials will
respond to their constituents, whatever form of communication you choose.


Calling/Faxing Congress

To find your representative's phone or fax number, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senator and/or Representative's office. You can also search here:

Note: This is an external link. To return to NPP, simply hit the back button on your browser.

When you call, ask to speak with the congressperson's aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.

After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a message, such as : "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.____)."

You may then state your reasons for your support or opposition to the bill, but don't feel like you have to be an expert on the issue. Your voice is what matters.



Writing Congress

A typed or handwritten letter is a very effective way of communicating with a congressional office. Here are some suggestions to make your letter as persuasive as possible:

  • Identify yourself and your purpose for writing in the first paragraph of the letter. If you are writing about a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g., House bill: H.R. ___; Senate bill: S.____.

  • Be brief. Keep your letter to one page and one issue.

  • Be polite and include key information, using examples and/or a personal connection to the issue if possible.

  • Note: If you have access to a fax machine, faxing is still more effective and faster than snail mail.

The How-To's of Sending the Letter
To a Senator:

The Honorable (full name)
[Room #] [name of] Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

 To a Representative:

The Honorable (full name)
[Room #] [Name of] House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:
 

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


Emailing Congress

Apply the same guidelines as with writing letters to Congress.


Contacting the President


Apply the same guidelines as with contacting Congress.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Comment line: 202-456-1111
Fax: 202-456-2461
president@whitehouse.gov


Meeting with Elected Officials

Meeting with elected officials is an excellent way to let your representative know how you feel about issues and offers the satisfaction of getting immediate feedback. Some suggestions for a successful visit include:

Before the Meeting

  • Request a meeting in writing or on the phone with specific times and dates. After the meeting is set, be sure to call the scheduler or secretary to confirm the meeting is taking place.
  • Let the scheduler/secretary know what issue or bill you would like to discuss.
  • Get clear on your talking points so you're sure to convey your most important ideas.
  • Decide on your wanted outcome, e.g. a vote for or against a bill; introducing legislation?

During the Meeting

  • Be on time.
  • Be brief and make sure to use your talking points.
  • Thank the elected official for past votes you have supported.
  • Be personal where you can be.
  • If you're waiting for a response, set a timeline for receiving it.

After the Meeting

  • Thank the legislator in writing for taking the time to meet.
  • Follow-up with any promised materials or information.
  • Call when the determined timeline deems it appropriate. Call again if the timeline has not been met.


Writing a Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor are a powerful way to reach both your fellow constituents and your elected officials. The more local the paper, the easier it is to get published. Some suggestions for writing an effective letter include:

  • Be brief and to the point. Follow the length limits of your newspaper.
  • Offer straightforward facts in a personal context. How does this issue impact you and your community?
  • Be sure to include your contact information (name, address, phone) so the newspaper can verify your authorship.
  • Type your letter and sign it.