A well written letter is an effective way to capture the attention of your legislators, letting them know of your concerns.
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The Legislative Process | Lobbying Tips | An Effective Letter
writing An effective letter
When it is not possible to personally meet with your members of Congress (either in their district or Washington D.C. offices), letter writing is the next most effective way to lobby. While legislators’ offices use many different methods of handling congressional mail, they have on thing in common: constituent mail is read, considered and answered.
6 simple steps:
1. Address it properly |
"The Honorable ___________ " or, The salutation should read, |
2. Identify yourself |
Be sure to mention the congressional district in which you are a voter. Mention your affiliation (if any). Remember to make sure your return address is on your letter, not just on the envelope. |
3. Be specific |
When writing about legislation, use the bill number (H.R. ____ or S. ____) or the title, if you know them. If not, briefly describe the issue that concerns you. |
4. Be timely |
Write when the issue is current, not after a key vote has been taken unless you are writing to thank a Congress member for her/his vote. |
5. Explain your position |
Say in your own words how the bill will affect you and be sure to give personal examples. Don’t forget that a bill can change as it moves through the legislative process, so urge your legislator to oppose crippling amendments (or support strengthening ones) if a vote is pending. |
6. Ask for a response |
Don't be afraid to ask for action. There are many effective ways to ask a legislator to support a bill. These include co-sponsoring the bill, requesting hearings on the bill, urging the committee to report the bill to the floor, speaking to other Congress members and (of course), asking your member to vote on the bill. |
The Legislative Process | Lobbying Tips | An Effective Letter