General Tips for Contacting a Member of Congress

Policy advocacy in Washington takes many forms, but when constituents contact their elected officials, change happens.  That said, contacting your federal representatives in Congress can be daunting, but once you know the ropes, you will quickly become a pro! 

The key is to remember that your Members of Congress were elected to represent you in Washington.  You are their constituent and a voter, and thus, your thoughts and concerns matter a great deal.

Below are a few tips to help you contact your elected representatives in Congress and support CRSCM’s legislative priorities.

Be Confident

You have a constitutional right to express your opinion freely, especially to your elected representatives in Congress. 

Remind Them That You Are A Constituent

Reminding your elected officials that you are a constituent at the beginning of an email or phone call will quickly differentiate you from the many people who call Members of Congress. As elections in the last decade have shown – it is clear that each vote matters.

Know the Issue & Know Why You Care

It is helpful to know what a bill does and why you want your elected officials to support it before contacting them.  The CRSCM website contains many resources to help explain the legislative initiatives CRSCM supports and why Members of Congress should support them too.  Sample emails, phone talking points and bill summaries will help you articulate your position, but you should also think about why you support CRSCM issues. 

Be Clear About What You Are Asking For

Many people contact Members of Congress just to express an opinion on an issue, but don’t give the Member a concrete action to take.  Using the CRSCM resources will help you know what action you are asking for, whether it’s encouraging your elected representative to become a bill co-sponsor or urging them to vote for a piece of legislation.  

Understand Who to Talk To

When calling a Congressional office, who you talk to is as important as what you say.  You can always make your case to the person answering the main line, but it is often helpful to ask to speak to the staff person who handles the issue you are calling about.  In CRSCM’s case, this is usually the healthcare staff person in the office.  Leave a message if they don’t answer and explain why you are calling, what you want the Member of Congress to do and leave a number where the staff person can return your call.  Bottom-line, reaching the healthcare staff person directly will increase the likelihood that your issue is examined by the staff person and ultimately, the Member of Congress.    

Follow-Up

After you contact your Member of Congress, you will likely receive a letter or email thanking you for your inquiry and suggesting that the he or she will, “look into the issue.” This is where follow-up is critical.  After you have contacted your Member of Congress initially, please take advantage of “Following Up with a Member of Congress” in the CRSCM grassroots advocacy resources.

 

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