Have you tried this? Actually picking up you phone and dialing the office of a Senator or Representative? If you haven't, it may seem rather daunting. "What will I say?" may be what you are saying to yourself.
First off, let me say, you will not be talking to the Senator or Representative directly, so perhaps that will put you at ease. You will be talking to office staff, or, as we call them, staffers.
Their job is to find out where you are from and what you are concerned about. What they do with the information is to keep tallies of the number of calls, what topic they were focused on and what position the constituent has.
So it's important that you identify who you are AND where you are from. I always say I am from Forest Park 60130. That way they can identify IF you are a constituent. And here's a little not--only call YOUR Senators and Representative. Mitch McConnell doesn't care what you think. You are not going to be voting for him. Dick Dubrin, however, must and does care.
Our weekly action list always notes some calls to make but sometimes we don't have space enough to list them all, so here are some additional calls to make.
Advocate for children experiencing homelessness.
Call: Your House rep
Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] to express my concern that young people experiencing homelessness are falling through the cracks of HUD’s definitions and data. The bipartisan Homeless Children and Youth Act would address these flaws and make HUD programs more responsive to local conditions. Can I count on name to sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 2001?
Advocate with your LGBTQ neighbors for equal protection.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952 And your one House rep
Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to support the Equality Act. Right now my LGBTQ neighbors are vulnerable to being legally fired, evicted, and denied services without recourse. A coalition of CEOs has endorsed the this legislation which would extend protections to all Americans. Can I count on [NAME] to co-sponsor S. 788/H.R 5?
Support the liberty of your disabled neighbors.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952 And your one House rep
Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to support the right of disabled people to receive long-term care services at home rather than an institution. I’m asking [name] to co-sponsor the bipartisan Disability Integration Act (H.R. 555/S.117) so decision-making rests with those needing care. Thank you.
Support fairer elections with a comprehensive solution: HB 1.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], and I value fair and accessible voting. Stacking districts prevents fair representation in Congress. We must also stop corporate money from deciding elections over the will of the people. Now that H.R. 1 has passed in the House, can I count on [NAME] to support voting fairness?
End the practice of drawing district lines that alienate voters.
Call: Write or call your two state legislators: (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m writing about gerrymandering. My concern is that districts drawn by legislatures discourage competition, protect incumbents, and alienate constituents. I want to gerrymandering to end. Can you tell me what you are doing to support independent commissions to oversee redistricting? (NY and CO: Can you tell me what you’re doing to make sure the independent commission’s decision is final and not subject to overrule by the legislature?)
Support religious tolerance and welcome toward new Americans.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952 And your one House rep
Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] to support religious tolerance and welcome toward new Americans. The NO BAN Act would repeal the president’s Muslim, asylum, and refugee bans—and limit the authority used enact them. This administration’s anti-immigrant agenda is un-American and must be addressed by Congress. Can I count on [NAME] to co-sponsor this new bill (H.R. 810/S. 246).
Support greater oversight of ICE.
Call: Your one House rep
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling to express my support for greater oversight of DHS and ICE. For too long, these agencies have been acting independently to harm communities and violate constitutional rights. I would like [NAME] to support and cosponsor H.R. 2203. Thank you.
Thanks to Americans of Conscience Checklist for these ideas. You can subscribe to this list.
First off, let me say, you will not be talking to the Senator or Representative directly, so perhaps that will put you at ease. You will be talking to office staff, or, as we call them, staffers.
Their job is to find out where you are from and what you are concerned about. What they do with the information is to keep tallies of the number of calls, what topic they were focused on and what position the constituent has.
So it's important that you identify who you are AND where you are from. I always say I am from Forest Park 60130. That way they can identify IF you are a constituent. And here's a little not--only call YOUR Senators and Representative. Mitch McConnell doesn't care what you think. You are not going to be voting for him. Dick Dubrin, however, must and does care.
Our weekly action list always notes some calls to make but sometimes we don't have space enough to list them all, so here are some additional calls to make.
Advocate for children experiencing homelessness.
Call: Your House rep
Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] to express my concern that young people experiencing homelessness are falling through the cracks of HUD’s definitions and data. The bipartisan Homeless Children and Youth Act would address these flaws and make HUD programs more responsive to local conditions. Can I count on name to sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 2001?
Advocate with your LGBTQ neighbors for equal protection.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952 And your one House rep
Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to support the Equality Act. Right now my LGBTQ neighbors are vulnerable to being legally fired, evicted, and denied services without recourse. A coalition of CEOs has endorsed the this legislation which would extend protections to all Americans. Can I count on [NAME] to co-sponsor S. 788/H.R 5?
Support the liberty of your disabled neighbors.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952 And your one House rep
Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to support the right of disabled people to receive long-term care services at home rather than an institution. I’m asking [name] to co-sponsor the bipartisan Disability Integration Act (H.R. 555/S.117) so decision-making rests with those needing care. Thank you.
Support fairer elections with a comprehensive solution: HB 1.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], and I value fair and accessible voting. Stacking districts prevents fair representation in Congress. We must also stop corporate money from deciding elections over the will of the people. Now that H.R. 1 has passed in the House, can I count on [NAME] to support voting fairness?
End the practice of drawing district lines that alienate voters.
Call: Write or call your two state legislators: (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m writing about gerrymandering. My concern is that districts drawn by legislatures discourage competition, protect incumbents, and alienate constituents. I want to gerrymandering to end. Can you tell me what you are doing to support independent commissions to oversee redistricting? (NY and CO: Can you tell me what you’re doing to make sure the independent commission’s decision is final and not subject to overrule by the legislature?)
Support religious tolerance and welcome toward new Americans.
Call: Senator Duckworth 312-886-3506 and Senator Durbin 312-353-4952 And your one House rep
Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] to support religious tolerance and welcome toward new Americans. The NO BAN Act would repeal the president’s Muslim, asylum, and refugee bans—and limit the authority used enact them. This administration’s anti-immigrant agenda is un-American and must be addressed by Congress. Can I count on [NAME] to co-sponsor this new bill (H.R. 810/S. 246).
Support greater oversight of ICE.
Call: Your one House rep
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling to express my support for greater oversight of DHS and ICE. For too long, these agencies have been acting independently to harm communities and violate constitutional rights. I would like [NAME] to support and cosponsor H.R. 2203. Thank you.
Thanks to Americans of Conscience Checklist for these ideas. You can subscribe to this list.
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