How to contact Elected Officials

How to contact Elected Officials

Legislative Branch:
The legislative branch of the federal government consists of the Congress. Each member of Congress is elected by the people of his or her state.
The Congress is divided into two chambers --
The Senate:
The Senate, with two members from each state, has 100 seats. Senators are elected for six-year terms.

AND THE The House of Representatives:
(Different names yet one department)
Including:
Your Congressperson
Your Congressman/woman
Your Representative

The House of Representatives, with membership based on state populations, has 435 seats. Members of the House of Representatives are elected for two-year terms

United States Senators
How to contact U.S. Senators
You can contact your Senators by writing an e-mail or a letter, by calling, or by visiting. All questions and comments regarding public policy issues, legislation, or requests for personal assistance should be directed to the Senators from your state. Please be aware that as a matter of professional courtesy, many Senators will acknowledge, but not respond to, a message from another Senator’s constituent.

Telephone:
You may phone the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at:
(202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request.
E-Mail:
When sending e-mail to your Senator, please include your return postal mailing address.
Postal Mail:
Please include your return postal mailing address when corresponding with a Senate office.

You can direct postal correspondence to your Senator as follows:

The Honorable (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator (Name)
For correspondence to a Senate committee or to a Senate committee chair:
(Name of Committee)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
or
The Honorable (Name)
Chairman, Committee on (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Write Your Representative/Congressperson

Tips when calling the House of Representatives or Congresspersons:
What to Expect When You Call:
Speaking to a staffer, not the Member of Congress is the normal practice.
They will generally ask for your name, contact information, and zip code.
Frequently due to the volume of calls, you may not be asked for any details other than whether you support or oppose an issue or legislation.
Before calling:
Write your key points on a piece of paper.
Know what you want the Member to do and ask them to do it when you call.

When you call:
Ask the person(s) to whom you speak for their name(s) and title(s) and write them down.
Get to the point quickly.
Present your message clearly and simply.
Express how you feel, while remaining polite and professional at all times during the conversation.
Ask for the Congressperson to take action.
Using the staffers' name, let them know that you will be following up with a return call to track the Congressperson's action on an issue or legislation matter, and then make sure to do so.

Tips on Meeting with your Elected Officials
Our legislators work hard for us, to improve our Country.
Meeting with your elected officials is easier than most people realize.
Meetings give people the opportunity to tell your elected representatives what you think about certain issues or bills, and to ask him or her to take or stop action on an issue.
You could meet with a staff member or your Congressperson in their office in your congressional district instead of traveling to Washington.
Requesting Your Meeting:
Make your request in writing.
Then call the Appointment Secretary/Scheduler.
State the issue/legislation/bill number, you wish to discuss.
Tell them that you are a constituent. (Constituent - living in the electoral district, and have the right to vote.)
Prepare for Your Meeting:
Decide what you want achieve.
Outline your talking points.
Bring materials that you can leave with your elected official. (5 or less pages)
Bring people who represent different groups that have an interest in the legislation like doctors, veterans, religious leaders, school board members, etc.
Plan your meeting beforehand, as time may be limited 10-20 minutes.

During the Meeting:
Be on time, don't be surpirsed if there are interuptions or delays.
Keep it short, stay on topic.
Introduce yourselves.
Stick to your meeting plan, staying on topic.
Provide personal and local examples of the impact of the legislation.
You don't need to be an expert on the topic you are discussing.
If you don't know the answer to a question, tell your legislator that you will get that information to them. This allows you to contact them again or mail the information for further consideration. An elected official may not commit to a position on legislation, in the middle of a meeting. So that you can follow up on your meeting, request deadlines for a response. Ask when you should call to find out what your legislators position will be, or when they think they would know what action they may take on your issue.
Leave the gathered materials with your elected official.
Thank them for taking the time to meet with you.

After the Meeting:
Send a personal thank you letter to the Congress member.
If you need to get information to your legislator do so as soon as possible.
Remember to call to find out what your legislators position may be, or what action they are taking on your issue.

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

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Legislative Branch: The legislative branch of the federal government consists of the Congress. Each member of Congress is elected by the people of his or her state. The Congress is divided into two chambers --
The Senate: The Senate, with two members from each state, has 100 seats. Senators are elected for six-year terms.	AND THE	The House of Representatives: (Different names yet one department) Including: Your Congressperson Your Congressman/woman Your Representative The House of Representatives, with membership based on state populations, has 435 seats. Members of the House of Representatives are elected for two-year terms