The most successful relationships are those built on mutual understanding. Have a clear knowledge of your Representative and Senators before contacting their offices. The table below describes the best action to take during the various stages of passing a bill into law. At each stage it is important that your Representative and Senators understand the level of constituent support for the legislation, so contact with them is vital. A Bill is introduced by either a Member of the House or Senate.
Letters are one of the most important tools in advocacy.
Many legislators point to constituent letters as being more effective than lobbyists or the media in influencing their decision on how to vote on a particular matter. Because government representatives are growing increasingly responsive to their constituents, they often consult constituent letters before deciding how to vote on a legislative issue. Letters serve as written documentation of the constituents' views on Capitol Hill. With controversial issues, large numbers of letters to demonstrate strong support for a particular stance. In the first paragraph ask that a specific action be taken by your legislator.