Are you looking for a way to contact your representatives to let them know how you feel about Planned Parenthood and to urge legislative action?
Susan B. Anthony List provides a way to Tell your Senators to Co-Sponsor the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (which would ban abortions after 20 weeks when babies have been scientifically proven to feel pain).
The March for Life Education and Defense Fund provides some guidelines on contacting elected officials.
Writing a Letter
• Clearly identify what your letter is concerning, and address only one subject or piece of legislation per letter.
• Clearly state what you want the Member of Congress to do (sponsor, oppose, vote for, investigate, etc.)
• Be brief, but give good reasons for your letter or request. Keep your letter to no more than one page.
• Send a thank you letter if appropriate.
Follow these guidelines when addressing your letter:
To a Senator:The Honorable (full name) Dear Senator LAST NAME: |
To a Representative:The Honorable (full name) Dear Representative LAST NAME: |
Sending an E-mail
• The same guidelines apply to e-mails as letters.
• E-mails will reach the recipient more quickly. When writing on time sensitive matters, e-mail may be the best option. Webmail forms can be found on Members of Congress’s individual websites.
Social Media
Find your Senator on Twitter HERE. [Also, House reps on Twitter.]
Call on the Phone
• Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senator’s or Representative’s office.
• Ask to speak to the aide who handles the issue about which you are calling.
• Identify yourself, and leave a brief message clearly stating what you would like the legislator to do.
• Be brief, but give some reasons to back up your position on the issue.
To find contact information for Senators, visit:
http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_contact_senators.htm
For House members, visit:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
As Matthew Hawkins, ERLC's Coalitions Director, points out, local/district offices can be more sensitive and responsive than the DC offices, particularly during or near the Congressional recess. Johnathon Bowers provides a sample email you can adapt and send:
Dear Senator ____,
By now, you may have watched the videos released by the Center for Medical Progress exposing Planned Parenthood’s profiting off of the sale of aborted fetal tissue. The content of the videos is disturbing and highlights the destructive nature of the abortion industry. I would urge you to please support S.1881: Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood. I am grieved that our federal tax dollars are being funneled to support an organization that, according to its 2013-2014 annual report, performed 327,653 abortions in one year.
I realize that Planned Parenthood does not only perform abortions. They offer STD testing and contraception resources, for example. However, other organizations offer these kinds of resources, too, without involving themselves in the destruction of life in the womb. As the Bill S.1881 calls for, let’s direct federal funds to these organizations, not to Planned Parenthood.
Thank you for your service to our state and country and for taking the time to consider this very important issue.
Sincerely,
