Overview
First, go to the current bills in the U.S. CongressLinks to an external site. and select a current bill that speaks to you. Read about the bill and complete the Study Guide tab on the website so that you familiarize yourself. (You will see Overview, Details, Text, and Study Guide at the top after you select the bill.) You will be writing to one of your local (according to your personal address) senators or representatives, so you will need to look them up if you do not know who they are. (Select “Congress” on the website and then “Member of Congress” where you can put in your address.)
It is important for legislators to know how the bills they have written are viewed by those who they affect. Letters and emails can influence legislators’ views. Writing legislators also offers an opportunity to maintain contact and keep your issues on the front burner even when you cannot meet with them personally.
Here are the guidelines for your letter to your legislator along with the rubric, which can be found in your syllabus and attached here:
Address your legislator properly and Identify yourself
- Begin with an introduction of yourself or the organization on whose behalf you are writing.
- Use a simple sentence such as, “I am a registered nurse at _______ Medical Center” or “I am writing on behalf of members of________.”
Keep your letter as brief as possible
- Keep your letter to one page and discuss only one bill or issue in the letter.
Get to the point and relate to the legislator why you support or oppose the bill
- Include the bill number and the name of the bill at the beginning of letter and make a statement as to your issue or concern, such as, “We urge you to support/oppose bill #_______ because ….”
- Explain why you support or oppose the bill. Try to use bullet points and be concise about why you support or oppose. Do not make the list too long.
- Include specific local examples that illustrate the problem you seek to address.
- Help the legislator understand why your position is important.
Allow for follow up
- Include specific follow-up information.
- Offer to act as a resource should the legislator or staff have questions or need additional information.
- If appropriate, advise that you will follow up with a phone call.
- Address your letter correctly: You are writing to your local representatives or senators.
- For senators:
The Honorable _____________ (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 - For representatives:
The Honorable ______________(full name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
- For senators:
Salutation: Dear Senator (Last Name): or Dear Representative (Last Name):
Avoid informal language: Be professional
Include your full address and zip code
- Emailing is also acceptable.
You are not required to send your letters for this assignment but feel free to make any edits your professor suggests and mail if you choose to do so!