1. Find the phone numbers for your MoCs.
You can find your local MoCs and their office phone numbers at
www.callmycongress.com.
2. Prepare a single question per call.
The question should be about a live issue — e.g., a vote that is coming up, a
chance to take a stand, or some other time-sensitive opportunity. The next
day or week, pick another issue, and call again on that.
3. Find out who you’re talking to.
You want to talk to the legislative staffer who covers the issue you’re calling
about. There are two ways to do this:
4. If you’re directed to voicemail, follow up with email.
Then follow up again. Getting more-senior legislative staff on the phone is
tough. If they still don’t respond, follow up again. If they still don’t respond,
let the world know that the MoC’s office is dodging you. Congressional email
addresses are standardized, so even if the MoC’s office won't give you an email
address, you can probably guess it if you have the staffer’s first and last name.
5. Keep a record of the conversation.
Take detailed notes on everything the staffer tells you.
6. Report back to media and your group.
Report back to both your media contacts and your group what the staffer said
when you called.
You can find your local MoCs and their office phone numbers at
www.callmycongress.com.
2. Prepare a single question per call.
The question should be about a live issue — e.g., a vote that is coming up, a
chance to take a stand, or some other time-sensitive opportunity. The next
day or week, pick another issue, and call again on that.
3. Find out who you’re talking to.
You want to talk to the legislative staffer who covers the issue you’re calling
about. There are two ways to do this:
- Ask to speak to the staffer who handles the issue (immigration, health care, etc.). Junior staff are usually directed to not tell you who this is, and instead just take down your comment.
- On a different day, call and ask whoever answers the phone, “Hi, can you confirm the name of the staffer who covers [immigration/health care/etc.]?” Staff will generally tell you the name. Ask for the staffer by name when you call back next time.
4. If you’re directed to voicemail, follow up with email.
Then follow up again. Getting more-senior legislative staff on the phone is
tough. If they still don’t respond, follow up again. If they still don’t respond,
let the world know that the MoC’s office is dodging you. Congressional email
addresses are standardized, so even if the MoC’s office won't give you an email
address, you can probably guess it if you have the staffer’s first and last name.
- Senate email addresses: For the Senate, the formula is: StafferFirstName_StafferLastName@MoCLastName.senate.gov
- House email addresses: For the House, the formula is: StafferFirstName.StafferLastName@mail.house.gov
5. Keep a record of the conversation.
Take detailed notes on everything the staffer tells you.
6. Report back to media and your group.
Report back to both your media contacts and your group what the staffer said
when you called.
