To find your senator’s and representative’s phone numbers, you can look in the front pages of your local telephone directory, or check for a listing in your local newspaper, or go to the NARFE Web Site (www.narfe.org) Legislative Action Center to search for your representative by zip code, or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your senators’ and/or representative’s office. NARFE also sponsors a toll free number (866-220-0044) to contact the Capitol Switchboard and then ask for your Congressman by name.

Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.

After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S. __ / H.R. ___)."

You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators’ or representative’s position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, this list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness of the letter:

NOTE: When writing to the Chair of a Committee, or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as:

            Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:

            Or Dear Mr. Speaker

To insure your letter is received by the Congressman’s Washington DC office, mail it to the local District Office, as the mail in Washington DC is still being irradiated and the process causes some delays and in some cases, damages, or destroys the mail.

Generally, the same guidelines apply as with writing letters to Congress. You may find and e-mail your senators and representatives directly from the NARFE web site (www.narfe.org). And, of course, e-mails may be sent directly to the Washington DC office.