We need your help this week. You can really make a difference!
Representative Dina Titus has re-registered the Congressional Americans Abroad Caucus for the 118th Congress! Now we need to make every Member of Congress aware and ask them to join the caucus to help raise awareness of Americans abroad issues. This will only take you an estimated 10 minutes, and it is much easier than you think!
Step 1: Find your House Representative’s phone numbers
- Click here and search for your last US address or your US voting address, or your parents' last US address if you have never lived in the US.
- Grab their Washington D.C. phone numbers (area code 202).
Step 2: Call their office!
- When the receptionist answers, read the following script:
Hi, my name is [name], I am a constituent living in [your country]. Can you ask Representative [your rep's name] if they will join the Americans Abroad Caucus?
Then pause, and write down what they say. You can then follow up by saying -
The Americans Abroad Caucus is chaired by Congresswoman Dina Titus, you can get in touch with her office to register to join the Caucus. Since your district represents Americans living abroad, it's important to join the caucus to stay in the loop on issues that uniquely impact Americans abroad. Joining the caucus will also demonstrate the Congress[wo]man's commitment to supporting [his/her] constituents abroad as well. [Feel free to add any personal story of any Americans abroad issues that you've been uniquely impacted by since you've lived abroad.] Can you please take my email address and email me in 1 week to confirm, either way, if the Congress[wo]man will be joining the Americans Abroad Caucus?
Conclude the call by asking for the person's name and email address. Send a polite follow up email to the person after you speak with them saying the following:
Thank you for your time speaking on the phone just now. As discussed, I would appreciate it if you could ask Congress[wo]man [your rep's name] if they will join the Americans Abroad Caucus. It would mean a lot to me as a constituent living abroad. I will follow up again in a week if I've not heard from you before then.
Be sure to set an alarm to follow up with the person you spoke to the following week. We see a huge increase in success with people sending follow-up emails after a phone call.
Tips
- Call during Washington D.C. office hours (9am to 5pm ET, weekdays) to increase your chances of success.
- Do not leave voicemail. After three unsuccessful attempts, email us at [email protected] and we'll see if we can help.
- Call your House representative first if you don’t have time for all three.
- Minimum credit (usually about $5) can get you connected through any internet device to reduce costs if you cannot make an international call.
Thank you so much for helping us with this very important work.
- If you have any questions on this action, please email us at [email protected].
- Feel free to share this webpage with anyone you think is interested in advocating for the rights for Americans abroad!