Using the Contact Congress Tool

Most months CCL volunteers will receive a request via email or text to contact Congress about a specific policy or topic. Sometimes you will be asked to call your senators or representative, or you may be asked to send them a message (or both). This article provides instructions on using the Contact Congress Tool.

Step 1

In both cases (calling or writing) after you click on the action button in the email or text you received, you should see a box similar to the one below on the right side. The words on the image or the button may be different, depending on the policy or topic. 

But in all cases, start by clicking the big green "Take Action" button.

Step 2

Next, you will be asked to enter your street address and zip code. These are used to identify your members of Congress. After you enter the information, click "Go."

Step 3

Next, enter your name, name prefix, street address, phone, and email. Congress requires this information for every message submitted. Be sure to fill in all the fields - scroll down to make sure you don't miss any. 

When complete, click "Review Msg."

If you don't proceed to the next screen, there may be an error in the form. Try scrolling to find it.

Step 4

This step will vary depending on if you are calling or writing.

 

Calling Congress

If you are calling, you will see a “Call Me” button. Click on that to start the process of calling the  offices of your senators and representative. 

For complete instructions, visit Using the click-to-call tool article.

Writing Congress

If you're writing Congress, you’ll see a screen similar to the one below.

• You'll have the option to write (send an email) to one or more members of Congress. If you'd prefer, you can select or deselect members to contact.
• The tool will automatically fill in the name and title of your member of Congress as well as your name in the signature.
• In the message box (you may need to scroll), CCL will provide text about the policy or topic, but for greater impact consider personalizing it. In your message consider the following:
  • Why is the issue of climate change important to you? Has it personally impacted you, your loved ones or your community?
  • How would the policy or topic impact your community?
  • Are there ways to connect the policy to values that are important to your senator or congressperson?
• When you're done composing your message, click Send.