Calling Congress is an easy way to engage in IFAM, and it only takes a few minutes! To Call on Congress, call the switchboard phone number, and let them know the name of the Representative/Senator’s office you’re trying to reach. You will then be connected to the office. When the staffperson answers, follow the basic script provided below (or write your own). The staffperson will relay your requests to his/her boss, so make sure to include your name and home address, so it can be officially logged.
US CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD: (202) 224-3121
IMMIGRATION REFORM SCRIPT
Hi my name is ___________, and I’m a constituent from [hometown]. I’m calling today to ask [Representative/Senator ___________] to support humane, comprehensive immigration reform which includes a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million people in our country without documentation. I’d like to hear back from [Representative/Senator ___________] on how he/she takes action on immigration reform. My name is _____________ and my address is [hometown address]. Thank you.
ACCESS TO FOOD SCRIPT
Hi my name is ___________, and I’m a constituent from [hometown]. I’m calling today to ask [Representative/Senator ________] to urge you to vote against any and all cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the farm bill and ensure eligibility requirements for the program do not become needlessly more stringent. Further cuts to SNAP would be devastating to millions of Americans. I’d like to hear back from [Representative/Senator _______] on how he/she takes action on SNAP. My name is _____________ and my address is [hometown address]. Thank you.
MINIMUM WAGE SCRIPT
Hi my name is ___________, and I’m a constituent from [hometown]. I’m calling today to ask [Representative/Senator ________] to raise the federal minimum wage $10.10 by 2015 and index it to inflation. The federal minimum wage has lost more than 30% of its value and would be over $10 per hour today if it kept pace with the cost of living over the past forty years. I’d like to hear back from [Representative/Senator _______] on how he/she takes action on the federal minimum wage. My name is _____________ and my address is [hometown address]. Thank you.