Call Your Representatives

001 — FIND YOUR REPS

Who Represents You?

You have two U.S. Senators (representing your state) and one U.S. Representative (representing your congressional district). You also have state legislators, a governor, and local officials. All of them work for you.

Find Your Representatives

Enter your zip code to get contact information for all your elected officials.

📱 Pro Tip: Save These Numbers

Add your Senators and Representative to your phone contacts. The Capitol Switchboard is (202) 224-3121—they'll connect you to any member of Congress.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

002 — CALLING SCRIPTS

What to Say

You don't need to be an expert. You don't need to debate. You just need to state your position clearly. Here are ready-to-use scripts for common issues.

General Template

Works for any issue

"Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY/TOWN]. I'm calling to urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to [SUPPORT/OPPOSE] [ISSUE/BILL]. This matters to me because [ONE SENTENCE REASON]. I'd like to know the [Senator's/Representative's] position on this issue. Thank you for your time."

Tips for Success

Calls are usually answered by young staffers—be kind to them
Keep it under 60 seconds; they're tallying, not debating
You don't need to leave your full address, but do say your city
If you get voicemail, leave the same message

Voting Rights Protection

For voting rights legislation

"Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY]. I'm calling because I believe every American deserves equal access to the ballot. I urge [Senator/Rep NAME] to support voting rights legislation and oppose any efforts to make it harder for eligible citizens to vote. Democracy only works when everyone can participate. Thank you."

Protecting Democratic Institutions

Oversight, rule of law, checks and balances

"Hi, my name is [NAME] from [CITY]. I'm calling to urge [Senator/Rep NAME] to defend our democratic institutions and constitutional checks and balances. I expect my representative to prioritize oversight, the rule of law, and accountability regardless of party. These principles are what make America work. Thank you."

Opposing a Specific Nominee

Cabinet, judicial, or agency appointments

"Hi, I'm [NAME], a constituent from [CITY]. I'm calling to urge [Senator NAME] to vote NO on the nomination of [NOMINEE NAME] for [POSITION]. I'm concerned about [SPECIFIC CONCERN—e.g., their record on X, lack of qualifications, conflicts of interest]. Please represent my interests and oppose this nomination. Thank you."

Supporting Investigation/Oversight

When accountability matters

"Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY]. I'm calling to urge [Senator/Rep NAME] to support a thorough and independent investigation into [ISSUE]. The American people deserve transparency and accountability from our government. I'm counting on my representative to prioritize the truth. Thank you."

Thank You Call

When they do the right thing

"Hi, I'm [NAME] from [CITY]. I'm calling to thank [Senator/Rep NAME] for [SPECIFIC ACTION—voting for X, speaking out against Y, etc.]. It means a lot to me as a constituent, and I hope they'll continue to show this kind of leadership. Thank you."

Why Thank You Calls Matter

Positive reinforcement works—reward good behavior
Staffers remember constituents who aren't always angry
It builds a relationship for when you need to push back

003 — STRATEGY

How to Maximize Your Impact

Call, Don't Email

Phone calls carry 10x the weight of emails. Staffers tally calls daily and report to the member. Emails often go into a black hole.

Be a Constituent

Offices only care about constituents. Always give your city/zip. If you're not a constituent, your call doesn't count.

Call the Local Office

DC offices are often swamped. District/state offices are less busy and staffers may have more time to talk.

Make It Personal

Share why this issue affects you personally. A real story is more memorable than a generic statement.

Be Consistent

One call is good. Calling weekly on the same issue shows sustained constituent concern. Volume + consistency = pressure.

Recruit Others

Your individual call matters, but 10 calls from your neighborhood matter more. Organize call parties with friends.

Quick Reference

Capitol Switchboard	(202) 224-3121 — connects to any member of Congress
Best Time to Call	Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-5pm (member's local time)
If Lines Are Busy	Try the local/district office or call back in an hour
If You Get Voicemail	Leave the same message you'd give to a staffer
Ask For Their Position	"Can you tell me where the Senator stands on this?"
Request a Response	"I'd appreciate a written response to my concerns."

004 — BEYOND PHONE CALLS

Other Ways to Be Heard

Phone calls are the gold standard, but there are other effective tactics:

Attend Town Halls: Face-to-face with your representative on camera. Prepare your question in advance. Be specific. Be memorable.

Request a Meeting: Offices schedule constituent meetings. Bring a small group (3-5 people). Have a clear ask. Follow up in writing.

Write Letters to the Editor: Members' offices monitor local news. A published LTE about their actions (or inaction) gets noticed.

Engage on Social Media: Tweet at them, comment on their posts. Public pressure is pressure. But don't rely on this alone—it's the weakest form of contact.