Calling your Members of Congress can be very effective.  Phone calls from as few as 5-10 individuals to an office about a specific issue can have a significant impact on the Member's decision making.

Important Facts to Know About Calling Your Members of Congress

1. You can find a Member of Congress's phone number for their Washington, D.C. office and district/state office(s) on their website.  Feel free to call any of their offices.  Alternatively, you can contact the Capitol Switchboard in Washington, D.C. (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected to the Member's DC office.
2. You will very likely speak to a junior staff person or intern – it is their job to answer the phones and interact with constituents.  Do not ask to speak to the Member unless you know him or her personally.
3. If you know or have previously met a legislative staff person in the office, you may ask to speak to him or her directly.

Tips on What to Say

1. Identify yourself as a constituent and briefly explain your purpose for calling in no more than 30 seconds.
2. Make certain to highlight your “ask” (i.e., “please cosponsor the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act”).
3. All phone calls are “tallied” by the staff, so even if you do not receive a writen response to your phone call, you will have had an impact.  However, when you call, you may request a writen response.