The importance of contacting your legislator:
One of the best ways to help create change on the federal level is to get in contact with your members of Congress. As a constituent, your needs and concerns are of major importance to the house member or senator representing you on the national level. Because it is often hard for lawmakers to conceptualize the direct impact of legislation they work with—how it impacts real people their day to day lives—describing your personal connections with or opinions on a specific issue is a valuable act.
How to construct a letter to your legislator:
When attempting to contact a member of congress, it is always best to reach out to the representative from your area or the senators from your state. These legislators are aware that your needs, as a constituent, are what matter most. So they are more likely to take your needs into consideration.
Try to focus your letter on a single topic or issue. This allows your legislator to focus directly on the issue that matters most to you. At the beginning of your letter, be sure to write who you are and why you are writing. Try to include as many details as possible—if talking about a certain bill, include the correct title or number. If you need help in finding the number of a bill, use the Thomas Legislative Information System.
Most importantly, explain how the issue you are discussing affects you and others. Try to close your letter by requesting a specific action for your legislator: voting for or against a bill, or changing a general policy.
Helpful format information:
Addressing Members of Congress
To Your Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
To Your Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
Finding Their Addresses
Senate and House of Representatives
U.S. Senators (web sites and mailing addresses)
Write Your U.S. Representative (A service of the House that will help you by identifying your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives and providing contact information.
Cite these legislation identifiers when writing to members of Congress
House Bills: “H.R._____“
House Resolutions: “H.RES._____“
House Joint Resolutions: “H.J.RES._____“
Senate Bills: “S._____“
Senate Resolutions: “S.RES._____“
Senate Joint Resolutions: “S.J.RES._____“
Sample Letter:
