Communicating with Capitol Hill

Tips on Telephoning Your Representatives

To find your representative's phone number, you may use our searchable online congressional directory (Senate directory or House of Representatives directory): or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senator's and/or Representative's office.

Remember that telephone calls are often taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue to 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 the Latin America Trade Promotion Agreements."

You will also want to state reasons for your support of the Latin America Trade Promotion Agreements. Let your representative know why the CTPA is good for your business and for your region. 

Ask for your Senator's or Representative's position on the Latin Trade Promotion Agreements. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

Tips on Writing Congress

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:

Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.

Addressing Correspondence to a Senator:

The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

Addressing Correspondence to a Congressman:

The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

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:

Tips On E-mailing CongressGenerally, the same guidelines apply as with writing letters to Congress. You may find and
e-mail your representatives directly from this Web site.