Power Check: How to Reach Out and Speak Up to Congress
Want Congress to actually hear you? Learn how to make your voice impossible to ignore in UpLift Chronicles' guide to speaking truth to your elected representatives.
by Shannon Yvonne Moreau
Does the president of the United States have the power to do whatever he wants?
Not according to the U.S. Constitution.
After the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers were not trying to have another King George III taxation-without-representation situation.
The Articles of the Constitution spell out a system designed to prevent one person or office in government from having too much power.
Meet Article I: The Legislative Branch
Article I establishes the legislative branch, known as Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. These two chambers are made up of elected officials whose job it is to represent the people. Their role is to propose, debate, and vote on federal laws.
Your Voice, Your Vote, Your Rep
One of the ways we the people have a say in what goes on in our country is to elect and communicate with our congressional reps.
Step-by-Step: How to Contact Your House Rep
Go to the United States House of Representatives home page:
Click Find Your Representative
www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Enter your zip code.
Your rep’s name, photo, and contact info will display on the left hand side of the page.
Click the computer icon under the photo to go to your rep’s info page. Click on the mail icon to bring up an email form.
Enter your address and follow the prompts.
Step-by-Step: How to Contact Your Senators
Go to: www.senate.gov
Hover over Senators and click Contact Your Senators.
Choose your state from the drop-down menu.
Names, photos, and contact options show up for both.
Click on a name or photo to visit that senator’s individual page and email form.
What to Say and How to Say It
You also have the option to call your rep on the telephone. Don’t worry—you’ll most likely get voicemail, so you can leave a message recited from your prepared notes.
State your name and address to identify yourself as a constituent. Say what issue or piece of legislation you’re talking about. Then request your call to action.
Oftentimes, your concerns are shared by a whole organization ready with a script for you to use. I’m a huge proponent of libraries, for instance, and the American Library Association has a slew of action items on their website.
Final Word: Do What Works for You
Whether you write a letter, send an email, or make a phone call, someone probably has the opinion that the way you didn’t do it is better.
The email form, with the option to request a response, may feel like there’s more accountability. Here’s a sample of what I received in response to an email I sent recently:
“Thank you for bringing [redacted] to my attention. My staff and I will further research this legislation and track it as it makes its way to the House floor. Your voice is so important to me and hearing your thoughts about the issues helps me to better serve our communities.”
The bottom line is that the best method of contacting your reps is the method you can and will do.