Calling Scripts & Tips

Calling Tips

  1. Call a state or district office first.
  2. Leave a voicemail. If voicemail is full, press “0.” This will typically connect you to a receptionist who may be able to take your message or transfer you to a voicemail that isn’t full.
  3. Call the national office, if you can’t get through. Or to see if you can get a real person.
  4. Be prepared to give your name and your location. You can refer to yourself as a constituent, as per the script and they might not ask.
  5. Note that the operator is likely using some kind of form to mark your call, the goal is to generate a high volume of calls that require the operator to check off individual boxes. That means it’s critical to name your issues specifically and not just say something like “oppose Trump.”
  6. Making your own reminder system:
    • For Mondays, create a calendar event to CALL CONGRESS with Weekly-Call-to-Action and add the link to this sheet. Set it to repeat weekly.
    • For Wednesdays, create a calendar event to CALL YOUR GOVERNOR OR STATE REPRESENTATIVES and follow up on Weekly-Call-to-Action and add link. Set to repeat weekly.
    • For Thursday/Friday, create a calendar event to CALL YOUR COUNTY COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS about issues of your choosing, using the script and add link. Set to repeat weekly.

Calling Scripts

Click on a tab below for the calling script for that issue. Please notice the blue, red and purple color. Blue = Script for Progressive/History of Agreement with that Issue. Red = Script for Conservative/History of Opposition to that Issue. Purple = Bipartisan Issue Script. Please select the appropriate script. Feel free to modify as you see fit or to update if there are recent developments.

Issue Script for Progressive/History of Agreement on Health Care

 I’m —- —–, a constituent calling to thank Senator/Rep ___ for supporting affordable health care and ask for continued support. I’m one of 20 million Americans who count on a marketplace plan for insurance. If the Affordable Care Act is overturned, I will lose access to healthcare. I want the <Senator/Representative> to block attempts to repeal the ACA.

Issue Script for Conservative/History of Opposition on Health Care

I’m —- —–, a constituent calling to ask Senator/Rep to support affordable healthcare. I’m one of 20 million Americans who count on a marketplace plan for insurance. If the Affordable Care Act is overturned, I will lose access to healthcare. I want the <Senator/Representative> to vote against repealing the ACA.

I’m —– —-, a constituent calling to thank Senator/Rep ____ for supporting compassionate immigration policies, and ask for continued support. I ask that <he/she> put pressure on the Trump transition team to keep the previous administration’s immigration plans in place, particularly DACA. I ask that the <he/she> publicly oppose any attempts to overturn Obama’s executive orders on immigration.

I’m —– —-, a constituent who supports compassionate immigration policies. I ask that Senator/Rep _____ urge the Trump transition team to keep the previous adminstration’s immigration policies in place, particularly DACA. America is a nation of immigrants. We do not close our doors on people in need.

I’m —- —–, a constituent calling to thank Senator/Rep ____ for supporting women’s reproductive rights. I fully support a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions and I am afraid Donald Trump puts that right in jeopardy. I want the <Senator/Rep> to let the Trump transition team know publicly that <he/she> will not support anti-choice policies or SCOTUS nominees proposed by the Trump Administration.

I’m —- —–, a constituent calling to let <Name> know that I support a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions. I am appalled by Donald Trump’s promise to “overturn Roe v. Wade.” 70% of American’s support this landmark decision. I call on my <Senator/Rep> to publicly support the will of the people.

I’m —- —- a constituent calling to ask <Name> to publicly denounce Donald Trump’s direct attacks on the First Amendment. Specifically, the <Senator/Representative> should denounce Trump’s hostility toward the press and repeated threats to make a “database of Muslims.” A free press is essential to a free society; religious freedom is America’s most essential value. Please ask the <Senator/Representative> to pressure the Trump transition team to observe tradition and allow journalists reasonable access to the White House and the President-Elect and to stop attacking freedom of religion.

I’m —- —–, a constituent calling to thank Senator/Rep ____ for supporting marriage equality, and ask that <he/she> publicly reiterate this support in light of the recent election. I would like the <Senator/Rep> to make it clear to Trump’s transition team that SCOTUS nominees who are anti-marriage equality will not be confirmed.

I’m calling to let the Senator/Rep know that I support marriage equality as the law of the land. The Supreme Court has spoken. I would like the <Senator/Rep> to make it clear that he will uphold the will of court and the American people. Please ask the Senator to change his position and declare to Trump’s transition team that SCOTUS nominees who are anti-marriage equality will be blocked.

I’m — —-, a constituent calling to thank Senator/Rep ____ for working toward racial equality, and ask that <he/she> publicly remind the Trump administration that Congress will not stand for policies that promote institutional racism. Specifically, I would like the <Senator/Representative> to condemn Trump’s stance on stop-and-frisk immediately and repeatedly as we transition to Trump’s presidency.

I’m — —-, a constituent calling to remind Senator/Rep _____ that racial equality is a cornerstone of American values. I want <him/her> to publicly denounce our President-Elect’s racism and reassure the American people that Congress will not stand for policies that promote institutional racism. Specifically, I would like the <Senator/Representative> to condemn Trump’s stance on stop-and-frisk immediately and repeatedly as we transition to Trump’s presidency.

I’m —- —–, a constituent calling to thank Senator/Rep ____ for supporting the state department’s refugee program, and ask for continued support. I request that <he/she> put pressure on President-Elect Trump to continue to allow refugees into the U.S. The public is not educated about the State Department’s refugee program. Please ask Senator/Rep ____ to spread awareness about the extensive vetting of refugees.

I’m —- —–, a constituent calling to ask <Name> to put pressure on President-Elect Trump to continue to allow refugees into the U.S. The State Department vets all refugees extensively. Turning away people in need does not reflect American values. Please ask the <Senator/Representative> to denounce any plans to deport refugees or eliminate programs to accept new refugees.

I’m —– —-, a constituent concerned about the 91 Americans who are killed with guns every day. Senator/Rep____ has supported common-sense gun laws, and we need <his/her> help more than ever. Trump has promised never to let the NRA down, so we need congress to step up. I’m calling to ask Senator/Rep ___ to continue to fight for common-sense gun laws, especially background checks for every gun sale. Please ask the <Senator/Rep> to let the American people know when the bill for background checks is coming.

I’m —– —-, a constituent concerned about the 91 Americans who are killed with guns every day. Since Trump has promised never to let the NRA down, we need congress to step up. I’m calling to ask Senator/Rep ___ to change <his/her> position on background checks that 90% of Americans support. Senator/Rep____ needs to start fighting for common-sense gun laws. Please ask the <Senator/Rep> to let the American people know when the bill for background checks is coming.

I’m —- —–, a constituent concerned about the President-Elect’s record of denying climate change. I ask that the <Senator/Representative> publicly condemn Trump’s threats to repeal the Clean Power Plan and withdraw from the Paris agreement. I want the <Senator/Representative> to refuse to compromise with the President-Elect if he appoints climate change deniers.