Tips on Writing a Member of Congress

							Tips on Writing a Member of Congress:
Senator and Representatives pay attention to their mail. It’s good politics. Responding to
mail is crucial to reelection. A member knows your vote can be won or lost by his/her
response. The most effective letter is a personal one, not a form letter. It should be
concise, informed and polite. Some specific tips:

              Try to stick to one typewritten page. Two pages at the most. Don’t
               write on the back of a page. If writing longhand, take care to write legibly.

              In short first paragraph, state your purpose. Stick with one subject or
               issue. Support your position with rest of letter.

              If a bill is the subject, cite it by name and number, e.g., House Bill:
               “H.R.________” or Senate bill: “S. _________”

              Be factual and support your position with information about how
               legislation is likely to affect you and other. Avoid emotional
               philosophical arguments.

              If you believe legislation is wrong and should be opposed, say so indicate
               the likely adverse effects, and suggest a better approach.

              Ask for the legislator’s views but do not demand support. Remember,
               Senators and Representatives respond to a variety of views, and even if
               your position is not supported on one issue of bill, it may be on another.

              Be sure your name and return address are legible.

              The suggested address style is:
                      The Honorable _______________
                      United States Senate
                      Washington, DC 20510
                      Dear Senator_________________

                        The Honorable _______________
                        United States House of Representatives
                        Washington DC, 20510
                        Dear Representative____________

       Check the Members website for an e-mail address. More members are paying
        attention to e-mail messages from their constituents. In most cases, expect a
        quick acknowledgement via e-mail and then a letter in the U.S. mail at a later
        date which explains the member’s position in depth.

       You can shape your approach by knowing about the legislator to whom you
        are writing. Use the member’s website. Know the member’s committee
assignments, interests and background. If you believe you have something in
common or admire a position or statement of the legislator even on an issue
unrelated to the subject of your letter, then state this in your letter.