You're right! I've timed it, and with your excellent prompts it takes less than 7 minutes to call all 3 of my congressional peeps and give them the straight scoop.
Question: Do you build relationships with those staff? Do you discuss things with them? Don't they get sick of your calling every day on one thing or another. That is one reason I hesitate.
I go back and forth between offices but yes there have been times—especially during the trump years—when I was on a first name basis with everyone in the office. You can also switch off between calling and emailing. And of course it’s ok to skip days. No one has to do this perfectly!
That's their job, Our calls represent job security. They are doing something worthwhile. Letting their boss know what his boss thinks/feels about issues. Love, Doc
I was wondering about this too. And an even more elementary question: do you always get a live body, do you just ask to speak to the congressperson or to leave a message ? I get some major anxiety when I think the person answering the phone may start quizzing me, or interrogating to some degree. How does the calling process actually go. I have 7 minutes a day for sure, just haven’t gotten over the initial hump yet.
You can time it to make pretty sure that you won't reach a live person by calling outside of regular business hours - but catching a live person is hit or miss for me. I have 2 GOP senators and when I call during the day, I usually get one live and the other goes to VM, but it flips which is which. My house rep is a Democrat and I usually talk to one of his staff members - who are more engaged. (I sometimes mention that I know I am speaking to the choir when it is an issue I know he supports). One time the staff member asked for an email address to which I responded that I was a donor and I was definitely getting their emails asking for $$ which got a chuckle out of the staff member.
Even when talking to the GOP staff members, the only questions I get are a request to repeat the bill number or something else that I said that they want to write down.
I've been scattering my calls for two reasons -- so I don't get burned out, and so that the person answering my congressperson's phone doesn't blow me off. My senators both punt me to vmail, and I have left many. However, I find that process very unsatisfying. Today, I left a much stronger message for my congressperson about Ukraine aid with the aide who answered the phone. For some unexplained reason, my rep (Dem. Dingell) has NOT signed the discharge petition! This is at least the 5th time I have asked her to sign. Today, I said I wanted to know WHY she has NOT signed the petition. Frankly, it's embarrassing. I made sure the aide had my phone, email and mail addresses JIC Dingell decides she'd like to actually talk to a real constituent!! I expect I will be calling again on Friday -- I won't give up. But, this is seriously frustrating!
I’m from North Carolina and I just called my two senators and my representative. To my surprise, I was not put on voicemail and I was able to speak with a representative for all three of the calls. Thank you, Jessica for making this so easy for us.
They are trying to change us to a winner take all, from a split electoral college state right now. Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon have lit a fire under Trump and our governor Pillen. The governor is discussing doing a special legislative session to change things this summer. If we could even put in a call to action in your regular newsletter to contact the governor's office and Nebraska Legislators and encourage them to continue to honor our split electoral college vote allocation system it would honor a more democratic system than 48 other states use. We split 4/1 last election with Trump getting less than 60% of the vote. At least it's a little closer to one person one vote. Thanks for everything you do, you are a star.
Such a strong and useful nudge to each of us to make it a habit of calling our 1 representative and 2 Senators regularly; it is amazingly easy and THEY receive a nudge every time we do. Which nudge causes a vote? like which of our votes wins an election. Or if your candidate loses, which vote makes the election close enough to run again?
Medical Care is still up front. Medical Care Restoration Act text is still in chapter 2 of "The Price Of Eggs Is Down". Still more effective at improving quality and lowering cost than M4A. Bernie will like it. wrote him a snail mail about MCRA last week. Love, Doc
I could also, maybe help with some boots on the ground here. I'm with Common Cause Nebraska and Better Ballots Nebraska along with Represent Us Omaha/Nebraska.
You're right! I've timed it, and with your excellent prompts it takes less than 7 minutes to call all 3 of my congressional peeps and give them the straight scoop.
I love that! Yeah, it takes me about the same.
Question: Do you build relationships with those staff? Do you discuss things with them? Don't they get sick of your calling every day on one thing or another. That is one reason I hesitate.
I go back and forth between offices but yes there have been times—especially during the trump years—when I was on a first name basis with everyone in the office. You can also switch off between calling and emailing. And of course it’s ok to skip days. No one has to do this perfectly!
Thanks for replying.
That's their job, Our calls represent job security. They are doing something worthwhile. Letting their boss know what his boss thinks/feels about issues. Love, Doc
I was wondering about this too. And an even more elementary question: do you always get a live body, do you just ask to speak to the congressperson or to leave a message ? I get some major anxiety when I think the person answering the phone may start quizzing me, or interrogating to some degree. How does the calling process actually go. I have 7 minutes a day for sure, just haven’t gotten over the initial hump yet.
You can time it to make pretty sure that you won't reach a live person by calling outside of regular business hours - but catching a live person is hit or miss for me. I have 2 GOP senators and when I call during the day, I usually get one live and the other goes to VM, but it flips which is which. My house rep is a Democrat and I usually talk to one of his staff members - who are more engaged. (I sometimes mention that I know I am speaking to the choir when it is an issue I know he supports). One time the staff member asked for an email address to which I responded that I was a donor and I was definitely getting their emails asking for $$ which got a chuckle out of the staff member.
Even when talking to the GOP staff members, the only questions I get are a request to repeat the bill number or something else that I said that they want to write down.
Thanks! this is helpful
Love this question! I’m going to answer it in tomorrow’s newsletter!
I've been scattering my calls for two reasons -- so I don't get burned out, and so that the person answering my congressperson's phone doesn't blow me off. My senators both punt me to vmail, and I have left many. However, I find that process very unsatisfying. Today, I left a much stronger message for my congressperson about Ukraine aid with the aide who answered the phone. For some unexplained reason, my rep (Dem. Dingell) has NOT signed the discharge petition! This is at least the 5th time I have asked her to sign. Today, I said I wanted to know WHY she has NOT signed the petition. Frankly, it's embarrassing. I made sure the aide had my phone, email and mail addresses JIC Dingell decides she'd like to actually talk to a real constituent!! I expect I will be calling again on Friday -- I won't give up. But, this is seriously frustrating!
Very proud of you. Thank you.
and this is the most urgent AND important issue before Congress. Love, Doc
I’m from North Carolina and I just called my two senators and my representative. To my surprise, I was not put on voicemail and I was able to speak with a representative for all three of the calls. Thank you, Jessica for making this so easy for us.
Thank you for calling! Nice work!
They are trying to change us to a winner take all, from a split electoral college state right now. Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon have lit a fire under Trump and our governor Pillen. The governor is discussing doing a special legislative session to change things this summer. If we could even put in a call to action in your regular newsletter to contact the governor's office and Nebraska Legislators and encourage them to continue to honor our split electoral college vote allocation system it would honor a more democratic system than 48 other states use. We split 4/1 last election with Trump getting less than 60% of the vote. At least it's a little closer to one person one vote. Thanks for everything you do, you are a star.
Such a strong and useful nudge to each of us to make it a habit of calling our 1 representative and 2 Senators regularly; it is amazingly easy and THEY receive a nudge every time we do. Which nudge causes a vote? like which of our votes wins an election. Or if your candidate loses, which vote makes the election close enough to run again?
Medical Care is still up front. Medical Care Restoration Act text is still in chapter 2 of "The Price Of Eggs Is Down". Still more effective at improving quality and lowering cost than M4A. Bernie will like it. wrote him a snail mail about MCRA last week. Love, Doc
Thanks for starting a newsletter in Nebraska we need you. Can't wait until it's ready.
W
Yeah I have to get that going.
I could also, maybe help with some boots on the ground here. I'm with Common Cause Nebraska and Better Ballots Nebraska along with Represent Us Omaha/Nebraska.