Representation & Advocacy Resources
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Internet Resources for Learning About Your Elected Officials

To find out who your elected officials are go to http://congress.org/congressorg/home/ and type in your ZIP code, preferably using the ZIP+4 format. You may then select U.S. Congress, State, or Local Officials. You will be connected to information on your officials, including Washington and district office addresses, phone and fax numbers, plus links to their web sites.

You may also visit www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm to see a list of Senators by state. The list provides links to each Senator’s web page.

Another way to find your Representative is in the U.S. House of Representatives web site at www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.html. This list provides links to each Representative’s web page.

Both the senate.gov and house.gov web sites contain other key information and links, including leadership offices and committee offices.

Visit www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm for a list of committee assignments by Senator, or www.senate.gov/pagelayout/committees/b_three_sections_with_teasers/membership.htm and type in the name of the committee in which you are interested and obtain a listing of committee members.

To obtain a list of House members by committee, visit the official web site of the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives at www.clerkweb.house.gov/committee/index.php.

You can reference the Project Vote-Smart Elected Official Biographical Information Database at www.vote-smart.org. Using the ZIP+4 format (you can look up your 4 digit code here if you don’t know it), you will get a list of your elected officials with biographical information, committee assignments, contact information, and voting records. 

For information on legislation, bill summaries and status, and the Congressional record visit the Library of Congress’s THOMAS web site at http://thomas.loc.gov/.

For maps and other US Capitol visitor information, see the House's Visitor Information Index at www.house.gov/house/Visitor.html. Or, visit the Senate website at www.senate.gov and click on “Visitors.” 

Building Relationships with Elected Officials

Just as in personal relationships, people are likely to trust those whom they know. Therefore, it is important to cultivate relationships with your elected officials before you need to talk with them about a public policy issue of importance to you. Legislators value personal meetings with constituents and advocates who have pertinent information on an issue.

Citizens are not only invited, but are encouraged, to visit with and cultivate relationships with their elected officials to express views and concerns. Legislators often prefer to hear from their constituents to get a sense of the "real world" view of an issue. The goal of a meeting is to establish good communication lines with the legislator and/or their staff and to educate them about your organization and issues.

Tips for Contacting Elected Officials
 

Request A Visit

·         Send a written request by fax to request a meeting. This is particularly important if you or your organization are not well known by the official.

·         Avoid form letters. Personalize the letter to the particular official, his committee responsibilities, or the relevancy of your organization or issue to his or her interests. Make it clear that you are a constituent.

·         Keep letters short and on point. A page or less is optimal. State your purpose for writing in the first paragraph.

·         Provide factual information to support your point(s).

·         Follow the fax with a call to make an appointment. It is always preferable to schedule meetings with legislators rather than "dropping in."

·         Confirm the purpose of the meeting and time needed.

·         Identify those who will be attending 

Prepare

·         Visit the legislator’s web site for current background information.

·         Plan what you are going to talk about in advance, with points that are well-organized, concise, and accurate.

·         If possible, prepare a single-page handout with key information that can be left with the legislator for her or his future reference. Make sure the handout has contact information in case the legislator has additional questions. 

Visit

·         Arrive on time and be brief. Make your key points in just 5 to 10 minutes.

·         You will most often speak with a key staffer or other legislative assistant whose job is to ensure that their boss understands his/her constituents’ viewpoints.

·         Be confident, presenting views politely but persuasively. Show enthusiasm and concern for the issue/organization that you represent.

·         Listen carefully to the legislator's questions and concerns. Be prepared to respond, but if you do not know the answer to a question, admit it and let them know you will get the information and provide follow-up.

·         If appropriate, offer them a standing invitation to visit your location. The best possible outcome of a meeting is to establish an ongoing relationship with the legislator.

·         Be sure to thank your legislator and his/her staff for their time. 

Follow-up

·         Send a thank-you letter to the legislator and to the staff person who arranged the visit. Include any additional information that may have been requested about your issue or your organization.

·         Add the staff to your newsletter list, especially if it is sent electronically.