1973 LEQISL~TI\IE WORKSMOY A GUIDE FOR CITIZEN ACTION including CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORY 1971-1972 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES INTRODUCTION Citizens in all 50 states have an opportunity to lobby their elected officials at the local level and in the state legislatures. Unfortunately, Congress is not so readily accessible and. except for citizens living near the nation's capital. opportunities for face-to-face lobbying on national legislation are limited - but the pen is close at hand. This pamphlet is designed to help all citizens make effective use of the pen in expressing their views to their senators and representatives. The following pages include suggested ways to write more effective letters. tips on when and how to write. and some sample approaches to letter writing. Also included are lists of congressional delegations by state and the major committee assignments. WHY WRITE? "If you are wondering whether or not it is really worthwhile to communicate your views to your own senator or representative in Congress. consider this fact: Others who disagree with you are doing so constantly ... "Your congressman is one person to whom your opinion definitely is important. With exceptions so rare that they are hardly worth mentioning, members of the National Congress positively do read their mail. Moreover. they are interested in its contents. The mood and tenor of the daily mail from home is a re ­ current topic of conversation among members when they gather in the cloakrooms in the rear of the House and Senate Chambers or around the coffee cups in the dining rooms of the Capitol." (You and Your Congress­ man by Congressman Jim Wright.) The mail is obviously of great importance to senators and representatives in determining thoughtful con­ stituent opinion. During the long congressional ses­ sions many do not get home as often as they would like and they depend on constituents' letters as a major way of "taking the pulse" back home. As a concerned citizen. you can be part of that "pulse." You may ask. "Does my letter really make a differ­ ence?" Your voice. like your vote. does count. While one letter may not accomplish your goal. your opinion added to that of many others in your community and thousands of like-minded citizens from around the ©Mar. 1971. League of Women Voters of the United States nation who are working for common goals, can make a difference. WHEN TO WRITE particularly if they arrive in congressional offices early in the legislative process. Whatever your writing technique, the most important There are many sources of information on issues thing is to take pen in hand. write and get your letter or readily available to every citizen and every member of note off to Washington. A short. simple letter or tele­ the League. The National VOTER carries articles con­ gram stating your views can be of great value -both in cerning issues and the League's position on them as stating your commitment to a goal and in adding to the well as a regular Federal Spotlight feature describing voices speaking on your side of the issue.1 what is happening on Capitol Hill. Frequently, state You must use your own personal judgment on when Voters and local bulletins carry articles on national and how best to influence your senators and repre­ issues and alerts to action. In addition, members and sentative. There are certain times when letters are non-members can subscribe to the League Action more effective. Early in the congressional session Service (see back cover) designed to help them keep letters are useful because they notify elected officials up-to-date on both issues of concern to the League and what issues are important to their constituents. If you on current congressional activity. (League positions on write early, your letter may be the one that helps your issues are also explained in Study and Action: 1970-72 senator or representative make up his mind. National Program. See p. 24.) The time to write members of a committee is when Know Your Representative and Senators legislation is pending before the committee. Another The more you know about those you elect to repre­ key time comes when a bill is about to come before the sent you and about the legislative process. the easier it full Senate or House. The letters should go to both is to write letters and tailor them effectively. There are senators or your representative, whichever is the case. many sources of information about your senators and There are other times when it is appropriate to write representative. to the President and/or a cabinet officer. Such letters One good source is usually your local newspaper. If are usually most effective if they are written when the the paper prints voting records. clip these, along with executive branch is making policy decisions or drafting other stories on your senators and representative. You legislation. might also wish to ask the League office in your com­ A useful aid to citizens as well as Leagues is the munity if a file is kept on your congressional delegation. League Action Service (see p. 24). Subscribers who use Many senators and representatives publish news­ this service are informed when the time has come for letters to keep their constituents aware of their activi­ concerted action on pending legislation. Publications ties. Items in these newsletters frequently provide an provided by the service also include information on the excellent source of ideas for comment. Write to your status of legislation and background on the issue. senators and representative asking to be added to their mailing lists. You should also know on what committees those WRITING MORE EFFECTIVE LITTERS you elect to Congress serve. Most national legislators specialize in legislation which comes under the jurisdic­ Know the Issues tion of their committees. Is your representative. or You will already know some things about a particular either of your senators, the chairman of a committee or issue when you decide to write. But you may wish to subcommittee? (Committee assignments are listed in seek additional information to back up your point of the back of this publication.) If you don't know on view. Whether you are supporting or opposing a piece what subcommittees your senators and representative of legislation, clear reasonable letters expressing your serve. write and ask for this information. personal opinion will get priority treatment on the Hill, Of course. the best way to get to know your elected officials is through personal or political contact during 1 You can send a 15-word telegram called a Public Opinion Message their campaigns. If your senators or representative (P.O.M .). to the President. Vice President _or congressman from know you. one phone call or letter from you about a anywhere in the United States for only $1 .00. Your name and piece of legislation may carry more weight than many address are not counted as part of the message unless there are additional signers. The same rate applies to wires sent to your gover­ letters from unknown citizens. If your elected repre­ nor and state legislators. sentative to Washington has already made up his mind. 2 3 however, even contacting him on a "first-name" basis may not be sufficient to change his opinion. But, your RECOMMENDED APPROACHES views, combined with similar concerns of other citizens, TO LITTER WRITING may make him realize that he is out of step and con­ vince him to change his position. The first letter can be the beginning of a long and It's easy to write a good letter when your senator or fruitful relationship with your elected representatives. It representative agrees with you and you know him well can bring you satisfaction of first-hand involvement in enough to call him by his first name: the political process. They are your elected representa­ Dear Bill, tives, and even if you rarely agree on issues they should I was delighted to see in the morning paper that you know what their constituents think. have announced your support for legislation authorizing Know the Legislative Process funds for the third replenishment of the International A piece of legislation can go through as many as 25 Development Association. I certainly agree with you steps before it is enacted and funds are appropriated to that JOA 's loans are urgently needed by the poorer carry out the legislation's intent. Citizens interested in nations which cannot afford hard development loans. the legislative process might find helpful the League It is always useful to relate local needs to national publication You and Your National Government, includ­ legislation. If you have first-hand knowledge of what is ing a section "How a Bill Becomes a Law." Understand­ happening in your community, include comments in ing the difference between authorization process and your letter: the appropriation process is essential. Any legislation which requires federal funding must go through both I strongly urge you to support the full funding for processes. If an authorization bill is passed but no sewage treatment facility construction which is now funds are approved, the authorization bill is meaning­ pending before your appropriations subcommittee. The less. Or, if only limited funds are appropriated, a pro­ need for federal grants is imperative here in Falls City, gram can be so restricted it really can't get off the where no one is far from beach, lake or canal. Our rivers ground. are receiving the effluence of North Beach, Thomason Since major decisions on legislation are usually Beach and the Clark River. The condition of Lake made in committee, an understanding of the committee Middlesex is worsening.