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

WISCONSIN — You may not know about it, but an important holiday is approaching us. Tuesday, Jan. 3, is National Write to Congress Day. In other words, a chance for Wisconsin residents and all Americans to let their elected officials know what's on their minds.

As made-up holidays go, this one has more merit than many. Among the most basic tenets of U.S. democracy is citizen participation in government, seen not only as a right, but a duty.

There are no shortage of issues in Wisconsin to discuss with our congressional delegation. Between the recent inflation to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the way it has tossed up abortion in Wisconsin, or the 2nd Amendment and the deep impacts of gun violence on our communities.

If there's something you want to say to your representatives, here's how you can get in touch with them. Email and phone calls might by best, because mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service may be delayed in the screening process.

Senator Ron Johnson
328 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Email
202-224-5323

Senator Tammy Baldwin
709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Email
202-224-5653

Rep. Bryan Steil
1526 Longworth House Office Building
Email
202-225-3031

Rep. Mark Pocan
1727 Longworth House Office Building
Email
(202) 225-2906

Rep. Gwen Moore
2252 Rayburn House Office Building
Email
202-225-4572

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald
1507 Longworth House Office Building
Email
202-225-5101

Rep. Glenn Grothman
1427 Longworth House Office Building
Email
202-225-2476

Rep. Thomas Tiffany
1719 Longworth House Office Building
Email
202-225-3365

Rep. Mike Gallagher
1230 Longworth House Office Building
Email
202-225-5665

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.

Like many unofficial observances, this history of National Write to Congress Day is murky. Congressman Brian Higgins of New York popularized it with a Dec. 30, 2005, blog post in which he encouraged his constituents to share their concerns, calling letters, emails and phone calls “an essential component” of democracy.

At the time, Higgins estimated he received about 600 constituent correspondences a week.