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Communicating with your legislator needn't be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, it's rare that a long-winded letter gets fully read. Mainly, your U.S. Senators and Representative want to know what your opinion is. It should only take a few minutes of your time - more than that is probably a waste, anyway.
1. Identify your target. Find out who your U.S. Representative and Senators are, and how to contact them. It doesn't matter a whole lot whether you use phone calls, U.S. Mail, or email. What does matter is that you contact the right people. It does little good to contact someone if you don't live in their district (or state, in the case of Senators). Likewise, don't contact a Senator for a House bill or vice versa. (House Bills are labeled HR, Senate bills S.)
Find Your Senators/Representative and Their Contact Info Here
2. Identify yourself as a constituent (one of the citizens he or she represents), and remember, your vote matters to them. They do have caller ID, so they know if you are calling from their district. If you are using written communication, be sure to include your address, and don't forget the zip code. (Rumor has it that if you don't, they will just toss/delete your letter.)
3. Briefly identify your personal relationship to the issue at hand. "I am a cervical cancer survivor." "My wife has ovarian cancer." "I am a caregiver for cancer patients." The message you are telegraphing is "This issue is important to me AND I VOTE."
4. Ask for the action you want from your legislator, and why. Examples: "Please sign onto the Reed/Snowe "Dear Colleague" letter to continue the vital efforts of the DOD in regards to ovarian cancer research." "I urge you to become a co-sponsor of HR1624 so that all cancer patients can have access to these potentially life-saving anti-cancer drugs." If you have the bill number (e.g. HR 1624), do refer to it.
Finally, remember that there are real people on the other end of your communication. Kindness goes a long way in a congressional office. Always thank them for the work they do. Remember also that the job of your member of Congress is to represent you, and they expect to receive communications from voters. Now, go forth, and communicate!
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Copyright © 2001 by Laura Dolson. All rights reserved. Please submit reprint requests to gyncancer@baymoon.com
The material on this page and Web site is for informational and educational purposes only, and should not substitute for medical advice. Anyone having questions about the application of information appearing here to a specific person or situation should obtain advice from a qualified physician.