Energy Smart: Tips to Persuade Congress

Smart Energy: Renewable. Efficient. Green.

The following process may sound complicated, but in practice it's usually straightforward.
The effort is worth it, because you CAN make a difference.

Ever since the anthrax scare after September 11, handwritten letters are no longer a good way to get in touch with your Members of Congress. Letters are being carefully screened, and may be drastically delayed.

Instead, the most effective ways to influence your Members of Congress (two Senators and one Representative) are as follows: number 1 is most effective, number 3 is least effective. Personal effort counts extra with most Members of Congress.

(1) Make a personal phone call to his/her office.

(2) Send a FAX.

(3) Send an e-mail.

Any communication is infinitely better than no communication at all.

Whichever method you decide on, you will need to find out what numbers to use to get your message through.

If you KNOW the names of your Members of Congress:

To make a personal phone call, dial the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected directly to his/her office. The receptionist who answers the phone will be able to take your message. Be sure to emphasize that you are a constituent, and respectfully request that the Senator/Congressperson should write to tell you how she/he voted and why. Also ask the receptionist to give you the office FAX number and e-mail address.

If the Capitol switchboard is busy, keep trying at less busy times of the day. You'll eventually get through, and many Congressional offices will give you a way to leave your message even if the office is closed. Or they may leave a recorded message and ask you to call back later.

If you DON'T KNOW the names of your Members of Congress:

Call your state or local Republican or Democratic headquarters, usually listed in both the white and yellow pages.

Or find a computer and log onto the following web sites:

For the Senate: www.senate.gov

For the House: www.house.gov

Just follow the leads on the web site, and you'll find all the information you need. Each web site is a little different from the all the others, but Members of Congress want to hear from you, and their web sites have been set up to tell you how to do that. Most web sites will give you phone number, FAX number, and e-mail address.

Thanks for your help.

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