National Write To Congress Day Is Jan. 3: How To Contact PA Delegation

PENNSYLVANIA — An important holiday many know little about is approaching on Tuesday, Jan. 3: National Write to Congress Day.

Among the most basic tenets of U.S. democracy is citizen participation in government. It's not just a right, it's a duty, exercised in both in voting and in communicating to elected officials what's important to you. The notion was captured in a famous "West Wing" episode called Big Block of Cheese Day.

Here’s how to get in touch with elected officials (emails and phone calls are best, because mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service is often delayed in the screening process):

U.S. Sen.-elect John Fetterman
hello@johnfetterman.com
(717) 787-3300

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey
393 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20510
(202) 224-6324

The U.S House delegation from Pennsylvania in 2023 includes the following incumbents:

• Brian Fitzpatrick (PA.-1)
• Brendan Boyle (PA.-2)
• Dwight Evans (PA.-3)
• Madeleine Dean (PA.-4)
• Mary Gay Scanlon (PA.-5)
• Chrissy Houlahan (PA.-6)
• Susan Wild (PA.-7)
• Matt Cartwright (PA.-8)
• Daniel Meuser (PA.-9)
• Scott Perry (PA.-10)
• Lloyd Smucker (PA.-11)
• Fred Keller (PA.-12)
• John Joyce (PA.-13)
• Guy Reschenthaler (PA.-14)
• Glenn Thompson (PA.-15)
• Mike Kelly (PA.-16)

Here are six tips from the American Civil Liberties Union on writing to members of your congressional delegation:

1. Keep the letter or email brief and limit it to a single issue. Legislative aides read multiple pieces of mail on multiple issues every day, so keep your letter concise and to-the-point.

2. Make it known in the opening paragraph that you’re a constituent and what issue you’re concerned about. It helps to identify the bill number if you’re writing about a specific issue.

3. Limit your talking points to the three most persuasive arguments.

4. Make it personal. Tell your legislator why it’s personally important to you and your family, your community or your state. Personal stories can help legislators form their own positions on an issue.

5. Personalize your relationship with elected officials by letting them know you voted for them, contributed to their campaigns or supported them in other ways. If you’re familiar with them through a business or professional relationship, state that, too.

6. Be polite and to the point, but don’t forget you’re the boss and don’t be afraid to make a firm case. A lawmaker’s job is to represent your interests. Also, you may be more familiar with the issue you’re interested in advancing than your legislator, and it’s your job to educate them.