How to Write a Letter to Congress
Writing to your state's US Senators and the Representative of your House district is a great way to get involved in government. Your Representative and Senators need the votes of their constituents to stay in office and they will listen to voters. If there is an issue you want to bring to his or her attention, here are some tips for writing an effective letter.
First, learn the proper way to address your congressperson. For US Senators, the envelope and header of the letter should say
[name of the] Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
and for Representatives it should say
The Honorable [full name]
[name of the] House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The salutation of the letter should be "Dear Mr/Ms [last name of congressman or congresswoman]," and the closing should be "Sincerely yours, [your name]." Always include your real address on the letter in case the congressperson or staffer wants to reply. Including your real address also helps verify that you live in the Senator's state or Representative's district. You can look up the name of the House or Senate office buildings on your Congressman's website.
Describe the issue you are supporting/opposing and include several concrete examples of how this will be an improvement/detriment to your community. The more detailed and thorough your letter, the more convincing it will be. Don't forget to add some human or emotional element to your story.
Never type in all caps or use vulgar language. Letters are usually read by staffers before they are passed along to the Senator or Representative, and if your letter appears rude or threatening, it may be discarded. Also be sure to use paragraph breaks and check your spelling and punctuation carefully.
Don't include anything in the envelope except your letter, business card, photos, or newspaper clippings and avoid using staples or paperclips.
Sign and date your letter mail it with the correct address and postage. There is no need to send a SASE with your letter; if they wish to reply, they will use their own mailing supplies. Congratulate yourself for participating in democracy.
© Had2Know 2010