Special Dissent Edition: How to Contact Congress Effectively
We’ve told you to contact Congress before. Now is the time to make it count.
May we all be, as RBG hoped to be remembered: “Someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability, and to help repair tears in her society.” - Amber & Katie
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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died. With the loss of our American hero and yours, there is a deeply significant vacancy on the Supreme Court.
We have the fight of our lives on our hands--literally. The rights and lives of many people are at risk: people who get pregnant, people who face discrimination in the law and their workplaces, people who need access to health care and housing. A conservative majority Court promises regressions on these issues and more.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will move as quickly as possible to confirm a Trump -appointee, expected this week. So, we join a chorus of groups urging you to contact Congress to dissent. We are also bringing you special insight about how to do it effectively with a “How to Contact Congress” FAQ from a seasoned Congressional staffer. We hope this advice is useful right now and in all the work ahead.
Get in touch with Congress. Insist that they do not confirm a Trump-appointee to the Supreme Court before January. (Read the Spotlight below for advice about how to personalize and tailor your approach.)
Apply pressure on Republican Senators. Recruit connections in their states to lobby them, and flood their Democratic challengers with support, especially in states that could flip from R to D.
Find inspiration in the life and spirit of Justice Ginsburg. We’ve linked several in the references at the bottom of this bulletin.
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In all the events of the year, we’re all collectively facing exhaustion and grief, and we ask ourselves, “Is this really happening?” and “Is there anything we can do to fix this?”
Today, I’m offering you a perspective from the inside. I’ve worked for Members of Congress in both the House and the Senate, and I’m here to offer some advice for how you, as a constituent, can meaningfully engage with your representation in Congress. In my experience, the vast majority of our elected representatives care deeply about helping their citizens and communities. We may disagree, sometimes bitterly, on what form that help takes, but there is a lot more common ground and agreement than you might think.
With that in mind, here are a few FAQs and tips to elevate your voice, even during a global pandemic.
Do my calls matter? Does anyone really pay attention?
In short, yes! When you call your Member of Congress’ office, your calls are tallied and reported to the Congressman or Senator at the end of the day or week. Odds are, you’re speaking to an Intern or Junior Staffer, but that’s okay - be polite and be succinct. Be prepared to state your name and zip code, as staff do try their best to verify that you are a constituent. If you’re not a constituent and still feel like calling up Senator McConnell or Senator Collins, that’s fine, but there’s a good chance that you’ll get transferred to your actual Senator’s office or your call won’t be logged. Members care about their own communities, districts, and states first and they don’t really care about your opinion if you’re not a constituent. While our physical offices may be closed because of COVID, our phone lines are being forwarded to staff cell phones and someone is still there to answer.
Dial the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your Senators and Reps.
What about letters? Who reads those?
Each office has a Legislative Correspondent, and their job is to read every single piece of mail and respond. Like the calls, letters are tallied and reported to the member daily or weekly. Because of the high volume of letters each office receives, it’s likely you’re going to receive a form letter back that may or may not specifically answer your question. But rest assured, they are all read and logged. Similar to phone calls during COVID, our staff is still receiving both physical, scanned mail and emails, in order to ensure that our constituent mail is still being processed.
Together, the calls and mail do help alert your Congressional representation to issues. In these instances, volume does matter. If an office suddenly gets an influx of calls or mail on a topic, it’s a signal to us that a topic is gaining traction or that we need to think about a response. That response could be a specific vote recommendation, co-sponsoring a bill, or signing onto a letter. While the outcome might not always be the one you want, calling or writing to your letter of Congress is the easiest, most accessible form of communicating.
Mail correspondence to:
Office of Senator (Name), United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510
Office of Congressperson (Name), U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515
How else can I get the attention of my Member of Congress?
Find out if they have town halls, listening sessions, or public events scheduled--even if they’re over Zoom, Facebook Live, or Instagram! Many of our in-person events have just shifted to online. Show up! When Members aren’t in Washington, DC (usually weekends or “District Work Periods” aka Recess) odds are they’re at home and out and about, working, in their communities. The best way to find out about these events is following your Member on Social Media, or subscribing to their email newsletters.
Finally, don’t feel limited by only approaching your Member of Congress at official events. They might not like it, but if you’re sitting next to them on a flight or in line with them at Starbucks, they are fair game to strike up a conversation with. They work for you! I’ve chatted up Members in airports, wineries, grocery stores, and at the vet, and have had surprisingly pleasant and productive conversations.
What do I say?
Once you have your captive audience, remember to be polite to your Member of Congress (even when you disagree). You’ll always catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Be firm, have your 60-90 second pitch ready, and thank them for listening. You’re much more likely to make an impression if you have a well-researched statement than if you yell a talking point from cable news.
Speaking of talking points, the best way to get your message noticed--be it through mail, phone call, or in-personal--is to keep your message short, and personalized if you can. Petitions or form letters are a lot easier to gloss over than a message from a constituent who took the time to personalize it. I believe that one of the main reasons why the ACA is still the law of the land is because so many Americans took the time to share their personal stories. It demonstrated how many people personally benefited from the law and what was at stake if it were to be repealed.
In addition to personalizing your message, be as targeted as possible. Are you calling about the Confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice? Don’t call your Congressperson, call your Senator – they are the ones that will take that vote. Do you want your Congressperson to support a bill that has only been introduced in the Senate? Ask them to introduce a Senate companion. Know where your Member stands on the issue you care about and either thank them for supporting it, ask them to support it, or ask them why they oppose it. Taking the time to be informed will elevate your legitimacy and your voice.
Ok, I’ve made the calls, sent the letters, and came to the Facebook Live events. What else can I do?
Volunteer on a campaign or at the polls in your Congressional races! Make campaign phone calls, volunteer to help with an event, host a fundraiser or a living room (or backyard) listening session. Help get out the vote, or be a polling driver or volunteer on Election Day. If you want to keep your Member around, help them out! If you want them gone, help their challenger! Campaigns always need help, and the barrier to entry is lower than you might think. Elections have consequences and it’s not always enough to only engage with the system after an election is over. The 2020 Election is happening regardless of COVID, so mask up, help out, vote, and wash your hands.
If you have friends or family in a swing district or state, CALL THEM. I know that family dynamics are tough (there's a reason I'm not calling my Alabama cousins) but think through who you know in CO, AZ, TX, NC, FL, VA, PA...the list goes on. If you think your friends or family who live in these places might be on the fence or need a push, PUSH THEM. But also check in on them, cause times are tough and it's nice to hear from loved ones.
Finally, if you are appalled, hurt, or angry at what’s happening in the news, one of the best ways to feel better is to find a cause that is important to you and find a way to support it. Amber and Katie have outlined a number of great organizations that are doing amazing work in past bulletins. Giving some of your time or resources can help restore your agency while helping others.
Onward,
Kristen Donheffner
References
RBG’s Life, in Her Own Words | The Atlantic
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court’s Feminist Icon, Is Dead at 87 | NY Times
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Champion Of Gender Equality, Dies At 87 | NPR
The Glorious RBG | New York Magazine
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Great Equalizer | The New Yorker
Statements from Supreme Court justices on the death of Justice Ginsburg | SCOTUS Blog
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, feminist pioneer and progressive icon, dies at 87 | SCOTUS Blog
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life, and the Battle Over Her Seat | The Daily
The Mighty Ruth Bader Ginsburg | The New Republic
How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Became the ‘Notorious RBG’ | Rolling Stone
“What do we do?” | AOC
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