COMMUNICATING WITH CONGRESS

TIPS ON WRITING TO A MEMBER

The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, this list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness of the letter:

1. Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If the letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g., House bill: H. R.______, Senate bill: S.______.

2. Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.

3. Address only one issue in each letter; and, if possible, keep the letter to one page.

Addressing Correspondence:

To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator_______(last name)_______:

To a Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative_______(last name)_______:

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 Chairwomen:
or Dear Mr. Speaker:

SENDING E-MAIL TO CONGRESS

Many members of congress have an e-mail address that ends in house.gov or senate.gov. Members whose address is listed as legislators.com, use a web based mail system known as "Write Your Rep," We have provided this alternative e-mail address for you to use. If you use this address, our mail server will attempt to forward your message. The body of your message should use the following format:

Your name
Address
City ST ZIP
Dear (title) (last name),
Start your message here.