Writing to Your Member of Congress

Letters and faxes are an extremely effective way of communicating with your elected officials. Many legislators believe that a letter represents not only the position of the writer but also of many other constituents who did not take the time to write.

These tips will help increase the effectiveness of your letter:

Keep it Brief: Letters should never be longer than one page, and should be limited to one issue. Legislative aides read many letters on many issues in a day, so your letter should be as concise as possible.

State who you are and what you want up front: In the first paragraph, tell your legislator that you are a constituent and identify the issue about which you are writing. Stating that you are a veteran is also very important, as many legislators are especially concerned with the views of veterans on this issue. It also helps to identify the legislation by its bill number when possible. The Flag Desecration Amendment is HJ RES 10 in the House and SJ RES 12 in the Senate.

Hit your three most important points: Choose the three strongest points that will be most effective in persuading your legislator to support your position and flesh them out.

Personalize your letter: Tell your elected official why this legislation matters in their community or state. If possible, include a personal story that shows how this issue affects you and your family. A constituent’s personal story can be very persuasive as your legislator shapes his or her position.

Personalize your relationship: Have you ever voted for this elected official? Have you ever contributed money or time to his campaign? Are you familiar with him through any business or personal relationship? If so, tell your elected official. The closer your legislator feels to you, the more powerful your argument will be.

You are the expert: Remember that your legislator’s job is to represent you. You should be courteous and to the point, but do not be afraid to take a firm position. Remember that often your elected official may not know any more about the issue than you do.

Where to send the letter:

If you don’t know the specific mailing address for your Member of Congress, you can send your letter to this address and it will be routed to the correct office:

House of Representatives:
Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Senate:
Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510