In the past, we hosted weekly training sessions on the basics of lobbying elected officials. The focus was on getting Congress to pass the #BurmaBill but the tactics and tips shared were applicable to other topics and in dealing with elected officials at every level of government.
Our training program is currently paused, and we invite you to join us once we resume the training. In the meantime, please check out our resources below on how to best reach out to your Members of Congress. Your representatives need to know that you want Congress to act. Burma can’t wait any longer.
How to Contact Your Member of Congress
1. Send a direct email:
Click to find the names, emails, and phone numbers of key staffers to your U.S. senators and representative:
- Click here to enter your zip code and find your House Member
- Click here to find the staffers to your U.S. senators and your House Member.
You may wish to use a succinct and direct subject line such as: “Protect Burmese refugees in the US”
Start your message with a mention of where you live in the district of your Member of Congress. Feel free to include a sentence or two on why you care about human rights and Myanmar in particular. Please blind copy (bcc) us on your email at info@newmyanmar.org. Feel free to look at our “Petitions” page under “Take Action” in our menu to borrow language for specific actions.
2. Make a phone call
Click here to enter your zip code and find your House Member
Click here to find the staffers to your U.S. senators and House Member.
When you reach their office, ask to be connected directly to the staffer, either in person on their voicemail. Simply tell the staffer – in person or on their voicemail – that you want your U.S. representative or senator to support a certain action (e.g. oppose the Administration’s decision to terminate temporary protected status (TPS) for Burma in the US.)
Based on the TPS example provided above:
(For House Members) Please co-sponsor the bipartisan bill H.R.7014 “To provide for the designation of Burma for temporary protected status.”
(For Senators) “Please introduce a version of H.R.7014 in the Senate to restore TPS for Burmese refugees in the US.”
Leave your name, number, and city of residence to indicate that you live in the state.
Email us at info@newmyanmar.org and tell us how your calls went.
3. Meet your Members of Congress in person or by video
We’re seeking one or more people in each state and House district. We would work with you to set up a video or in-person meeting with the staff of your House Member or senators. We’d also prepare you beforehand with talking points. The goal is to let you – voters from the district – lobby your Members of Congress effectively.
We have been impressed at how many people have already contacted us to meet their Members of Congress. Nothing has more impact on Congress than the voice of voters from the district. If you wish to organize or just participate in a meeting with staffers of your Members of Congress, just email us at info@newmyanmar.org
4. Support our work together
Your gifts will help us keep building the campaigns and tools that we need to take effective action together. Please click here to make a gift of $30, $60, $120, $250, or more.