Tips on telephoning your lawmakers
To find your lawmaker's phone number, use our searchable online congressional directory or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senator's and/or representative's office.
Remember that telephone calls are often taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue on which you wish to comment.
After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.___)."
You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Let them know how the bill affects your business, giving your related costs, your number of employees (and how they will be affected), and your number of years in business. Ask for your senator's or representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.
Tips on writing Congress
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 your 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. Let your lawmaker know how the bill affects your business, giving your related costs, your number of employees (and how they will be affected), and your number of years in business. Your real-life examples humanize an issue in a way that facts and figures cannot.
3. Address only one issue in each letter; and, if possible, keep the letter to one page.
4. Print the letter on your company letterhead and mail.
5. Be sure to copy NFIB on your correspondence and any reply you receive from your lawmaker.
NFIB Legislative Services
1201 F Street, Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20004
or fax:
(202) 554-0496
Addressing correspondence
To a senator:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
To a representative:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
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 Chairwoman:
or Dear Mr. Speaker:
Tips on e-mailing and faxing Congress
Generally, the same guidelines apply as with writing letters to Congress. You may e-mail and fax your lawmakers for free directly from NFIB.com. NFIB's Legislative Services will automatically be copied on any correspondence you send from NFIB.com unless you choose not to copy us.
© Capitol Advantage 2002
