Believe it or not, simply contacting your representative or senator is the single most important way you can support benefits tax equity. Political pundits, analysts, and lobby groups would have you believe that every piece of legislation always hangs on complex social, economic, and political strategies, but the truth is a lot simpler than that. Most politicians simply want to represent the will of their constituents, especially those invested enough in legislation to contact them.
It’s also true that most members of the U.S. Congress receive hundreds of letters, faxes, emails, and phone calls every day on a great many topics. We hope that this guide will offer some helpful tips on writing an effective letter that will make a difference.
Your letter should only address benefits tax equity. If you want to express your thoughts on ENDA, marriage equality, or “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” send separate letters. Typed, one-page letters are best by mail. For email, use the same format. Try this simple three-paragraph structure:
- Say why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials," details such as your job, how long you’ve lived in the district, and that you are a registered voter are good. (If you want a response, you must include your name and address, even when using email.)
- Provide more detail. Be factual not emotional. Provide specific rather than general information about how the topic affects you and others. When it becomes available, list the Benefits Tax Equity bill by name and number (check back here for updates). If you work in HR and support this legislation because it would simplify your tax reporting, say so. If you are a recipient of domestic partner health insurance and pay more taxes because of it, tell your story.
- Close by requesting the action you want taken: a vote in favor of the Benefits Tax Equity bill. You might also ask your representative or senator to sign on as a co-sponsor of the legislation.
The best letters are courteous, to the point, and include specific supporting examples.
To Your Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator: |
To Your Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative: |
The above addresses should be used in email messages, as well as those sent through the Postal Service.
Contacting the Congress is one of the Internet's most complete sources of contact information for the current Congress.
Here are some key things you should always and never do in writing to your elected representatives.
Always
- Be courteous and respectful without "gushing."
- Clearly and simply state the purpose of your letter. Be clear that you are writing about proposed legislation to end inequal taxation on domestic partner health benefits. When the bill number becomes available, include it.
- Say who you are. Anonymous letters go nowhere. Even in email, include your correct name, address, phone number and email address. If you don't include at least your name and address, you will not get a response.
- State any professional credentials or personal experience you may have, especially those pertaining to the subject of benefits tax equity.
- Keep your letter short -- one page is best.
- Use specific examples or evidence to support your position.
- State clearly that you want them to support passage of legislation that will promote tax equity for domestic partner benefits. When it becomes available, specify that you want them to vote in favor of the specific bill.
- Spell check!
- Thank the member for taking the time to read your letter.
Never
- Use vulgarity, profanity, or threats. The first two are just plain rude and the third one can get you a visit from the Secret Service. Simply stated, don't let your passion get in the way of making your point,
- Fail to include your name and address, even in email letters.
- Demand a response.
You can use this sample letter as a guide for ideas, but we encourage you to write your own. Please help personalize this issue for the members of Congress by speaking authentically about your experience.
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
United States House of Representatives
235 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0508
Dear Representative:
My name is Jane Doe and I’ve lived and voted in your district for 10 years. I work at Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and have long supported equal treatment and benefits for all people in the workplace. I am also a participant in our company’s domestic partner health insurance program, which is why I’m writing to you today.
My parter, Joan Doe, started her own small business as a freelance artist about 6 years ago. At that time, she left a full-time job in banking and lost all her insurance benefits. We were delighted to learn that my company allowed health insurance coverage of Joan under our domestic partner policies. Unfortunately, we later learned that the federal government taxes me for Joan’s insurance benefits as additional income, an outcome that would not have occurred if we were married. This has moved us into a higher tax bracket and we owed $1500 more in taxes than we had the previous year. As you can imagine, this unexpected increase to our taxes has made it difficult for Joan’s business to turn a profit.
Last year, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Gordon Smith introduced S. 1360, the Domestic Partner Health Benefits Equity Act, which did not pass. I urge you support and sponsor similar legislation in 2007 and end the unequal taxation on health benefits for domestic partners. Thank you for your time and your support.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
155 Sansome St., Ste. 450
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 555-5555
jdoe@outandequal.org
Remember to spell check and include your full address, even in email!
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