Here are some tips for how to make an effective phone call urging your senator or representative to support the U.S. Public Service Academy Act.
• Find your Representative or Senator Online or call the Capitol Operator (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected to your senator’s or representative’s office.
• Get the appropriate staffer on the phone: Ask for the staff member who handles higher education.
• Be short & specific: When that staff member gets on the phone (of if you get his or her voice mail), briefly tell who you are and where you live, and emphasize that you are a voting constituent. Clearly explain what you want the representative to do — co-sponsor the U.S. Public Service Academy Act. In the House, the bill (HR 2102) has been introduced by Jim Moran (D-VA) and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL). In the Senate, Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) plans to introduce the bill soon. Ask for the senator’s or representative’s position on the bill – you can even ask for a written response to the call. Tell them it is very important to you, so you will follow up until you hear your Representative’s or Senator’s position. Keep your call short and sweet.
Before you call, check the cosponsor list to make sure your Representative or Senator hasn’t already co-sponsored the bill this term.
Here’s a sample of what you could say:
Senate
“Hello. My name is ______________ , and I am calling from ___________. I would like to urge Sen.
___________ to become a co-sponsor of the U.S. Public Service Academy Act. In the last Congress, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, and it is going to be re-introduced by Sen. Mark Udall soon. I think Sen. ___________ should support it. The Academy will help America attract its best and brightest into public service. Sen. ___________ has always been a strong supporter of public service, so it makes sense for him (her) to support this great bill. What is his (her) position on the bill? Thank you.”
House
“Hello. My name is ___________, and I am calling from ___________. I would like to urge Rep.
___________ to become a co-sponsor of the U.S. Public Service Academy Act (HR 2102). The bill already has over 50 co-sponsors. I think Rep. ___________ should support it. The Academy will help America attract its top students into public service. Rep. ___________ has always been a strong supporter of public service, so it makes sense for him (her) to support this great bill. What is his (her) position on the bill? Thank you.”