Capitol Switchboard, how may I direct your call? This is what you hear when you dial 202-224-3121 day or night 7 days a week.
If you’ve never done it, it’s super easy even for the most phone call-averse among us. Off hours, you can leave a message for any Representative or Senator. You don’t even need to talk to anyone.
I’m offering some simple tips for making your messages count. And some resources to click on for who to call for what issues. Also included are several examples of calls - messaging on tariffs, immigration and Social Security.
First, why are phone calls effective? In high school (during the Watergate era), I interned for Senator William Proxmire and I learned a valuable lesson. Mail and phone calls were compiled by issue into a weekly report for the Senator. He paid close attention because the data guided his actions.
Right now, many in Congress have been dodging us or playing us for fools. But with the massive protests and elections looming in 2026, they can’t ignore us. Calls still matter and will be even more important as pressure builds. Different time, same principle.
Look for cracks. There are many disturbing issues to call about and all calls are important. But it’s good to be aware of areas where cracks may emerge in the Republican armor and to focus there. A handful of Republican senators recently voted to reassert authority over tariffs. Given Trump’s on again, off again incomprehensible trade actions, dissent on this issue may resurface.
Ultimately, we want to see Republican members break with Trump on any issue to release the mafia-Don hold he has on them. When the pressure from The People exceeds the pressure of Trump’s threats on lawmakers, we win. We become less authoritarian and more democratic.
Calls to lawmakers help. To be clear, this is just one part of the resistance toolkit, along with protests, emails, Resistbots, town halls, supporting the most vulnerable, boycotts, enlisting others and all kinds of good trouble.
Flood the Phones. Calls help keep up pressure from The People between ever more massive protests. Persist. Don’t let up. This is how we win.
Some Tips:
· When you call off hours, you’re asked for your name and email. If you’re a constituent, say so. If you’re not, you don’t need to volunteer that information. (Out of state area codes are irrelevant since people move a lot.)
· Knowing who to call is important. If you’re a constituent that’s good. You can also target members of Congress who serve on whatever Committee aligns with the issue you’re calling about. Below there are links to a number of issues as well as links to members of Congress and various Committees.
· Be clear about what you’re asking. You have anywhere from 20-45 seconds to record a message. So, have an idea beforehand of what you want to say and be concise.
· Let them know if the issue is personal or if you’re a member of a group under attack (a Veteran, federal worker, Medicaid recipient, etc.) Effectively use your membership in an organization or group to amplify your message. Suddenly, it’s not just you, it’s about your teachers’ union or AARP or your relatives in skilled nursing care.
· Thank members who speak out on issues you support even if you disagree on every other issue. Hold your nose and make the call; encourage them to keep going.
- You may also want to download the 5 Calls app that makes it easy to contact your members with ready-made scripts!
Some examples:
On Immigration
Representative, my neighbors who are here legally are afraid to go out. This isn’t about border security or sensible immigration, it’s cruel and un-American. Everyone’s guaranteed due process. Nabbing people and shipping them to overseas prisons is wrong. I’m not voting for anybody that condones this. Are you actually okay with this? If not, speak up.
On Social Security
Senator, stop this president and DOGE from any more staffing cuts to Social Security. There are still long waits and periodic outages and there’s a risk of the whole system collapsing. My monthly check is my lifetime like a lot of people my age. It’s hard to sleep knowing they could destroy it.
On Tariffs
Senator, Congress needs to reassert its authority over tariffs. Tariffs cannot be trusted to this President whose nonsensical trade policies are creating chaos and even threatened to bring down the bond market. We lose good will with our allies daily who are looking for new trade partnerships. Who could blame them. Congress needs to take back tariffs and stop the bleeding.
Specific Topics: Click on for members of Congress to call
Senate Committees and Committee Members
House Republicans by Committee
One final tip: Enter the Capitol Switchboard in your phone contacts.
As you read your trusted news sources about what this or that member of Congress is doing, call them! Flood the Phones!
See you on April 19th!
“Just lost Peoria.”
Hi Robin,
Great way to guide people by providing information, encouraging people to use their voices and get involved!!