» How to Contact Congress

There are several ways to get in touch with your legislators—meetings, phone calls, and letters are all effective means of communication depending on the topic and how much time you have to commit. To find contact information, visit their individual websites, which you can find by going to www.senate.gov or www.house.gov. Each website contains information about how to contact offices both in Washington, DC and at the home district. The website may also contain information about local events such as home district town hall meetings, which also offer opportunities for getting in touch.

Before meeting with Members of Congress or their staff, it is helpful to know a few basic facts about the legislator and the district to give you some idea about how to approach your conversation.

Personal meetings in either Washington, DC or home district offices are effective ways to communicate your views and establish relationships with your elected representatives.

If you don’t have the time or opportunity to set up a personal meeting, a phone call to the legislator’s office is another option.

A third option is to write a letter.

The definition of lobbying is generally considered to be communications intended to influence specific legislation.