Communicating with Legislators Via Telephone

Telephone calls are an easy way to communicate with your representative - be it your U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Senator or State Representative. You can call your Members of Congress at their offices in Washington, D.C. or at their state offices. To reach your representative’s office in Washington, you may call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senator’s and/or Representative's office.

The telephone can be an effective simple tool to use. Before calling, however, there are a few things you should know:

• Always make sure you know the bill number or title of the bill
• If possible, know the status of the bill (i.e. it is coming before a certain committee or the full House or Senate for a vote; has it just been introduced)

When calling Congress, it is often impossible to speak to the elected official personally, so ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant who handles the issue (i.e. aviation, labor, trade).

You may then just get the staffer’s voice mail. Leave a message! Make sure you give your name and let them know you are a constituent and a member of the Association of Flight Attendants. Leave your address, phone number and a brief message. Indicate the particular piece of legislation you are calling about and your position on the bill (support or oppose).

If you actually speak to a staff person, your message will be the same as above, however, you may be asked “why”. Be prepared to answer some short brief questions.

If you should be asked a question, and you do not know the answer, simply say, “I don’t know, but I will find out and get back to you”. Then, as quickly as possible, follow-up on the question, with a phone call or e-mail to the MEC Legislative Affairs Committee.

Most phone calls will be brief and to the point. It’s easy!

When telephoning:

• Leave your name, address and telephone number
• Identify yourself as an AFA member
• Know the bill number and/or title
• If possible, know the status of the bill
• Clearly state your position on the bill
• Ask the Congress member to cosponsor AFA supported legislation and to support our position
• Ask for a response to your call, either by return call or in writing

REMEMBER...always be professional and courteous. You will want to maintain an on-going relationship with your elected official.