How to Contact Politicians

Since so many of us are now trying to make our voices heard in order to fully participate in the democratic process I thought I’d compile all the information on how to contact our Elected Officials in one spot for your convenience.

Some of us have been on autopilot, going to work, paying our bills and pursuing economic opportunity and, unlike the Left, we have few ‘professional activists’ in our crowd.

So some of you may not have a good idea of how to contact those folks whom we elect to represent us.  I offer my version of how to do that as a guide.  Feel free to print this off and use it as you write to express your opinions, concerns and suggestions to our elected government.

Know your Congressperson. First of all you need to know who your Congressperson is. You can get the name and an email form here:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

If you put in your state and zip code, the program tells you who your representative is.

Know your Senator: To find your Senator you need the following site:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Again, just put in the name of your state of residence at the top under ‘ choose a state’ and the name(s) of your Senator(s) will come up.

Both of these sites allow you to fill out an eform that sends an email to the office of your congressperson or senator.

However, I recommend that you take the time to send a letter on paper via U.S. Mail.  Those “in the know” say that makes more of an impact on our elected officials.  (Although I would suggest that sending an email is better than sending nothing at all.)

So, if  you prefer to write and send a letter via U.S. Mail, here’s how to go about it. Let’s start by addressing it properly:

__________

U.S. Senator:

The Honorable (Your Senator’s Full Name i.e. The Honorable John Smith)
United States Senator
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.  20510

Dear Senator (Last Name):

__________

U. S. Representative:

The Honorable (Your Congressperson’s Full Name i.e. The Honorable Sally Jones)
United States Representative
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.  20515

Dear Congressperson (Last Name):

__________

U.S. President:

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

___________

OK.  Now let’s remember to always include your full name and address on the communication.

First of all, they want to know you’re a constituent. Of course as an American Citizen you can write to ANY Congressperson or Senator and to the President at any time.  However, it does seem to make more of an impact on elected officials if you are a voter from their particular district.

Secondly, this helps them to answer your letter.

It is MUCH more effective to use your own words and not just to sign a form letter, a petition or a preprinted card.

You want to send a thoughtful, respectful and well-reasoned letter.

Do make sure you write BEFORE the bill you’re writing about goes to the House or Senate floor.  Timing is everything as they say.

Make sure you identify the bill you’re writing about.  Use the number i.e. H.R. 2454 or the popular title such as “Cap & Trade”.

Be brief. Be well-reasoned. Don’t rant.  Present your opinion, your facts and arguments succinctly.

Tell your representative how you feel this bill will affect you and your family or your state or the country.  Give your reasoning.

Feel free to offer suggestions on how to solve the problem that the bill is being written to solve.  There are only 535 congressmen and millions of us.  Perhaps we will suggest something they haven’t thought of.

Don’t expect that you will get a timely response or even a response at all. Remember, politicians get lots and lots of letters, emails and communications.

Do remember to be respectful and courteous.

Most of all, DO WRITE! While sending a letter by U.S. Mail is much more effective than by email, do send something, email or snail mail it’s your choice.

You can also call your congressperson or senator by dialing the U.S. Capital Building at (202) 224-3121.  The switchboard can connect you to the office you request.  To call the White House dial (202)-456-1414.

It is more than time for them to hear frequently and respectfully from their employers!  Remember, Americans, THEY work for US.

Sincerely,

The Fed Up American