National Write to Congress Day Date in the current year: January 3, 2024

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States according to Section 1 of Article I of the United States Constitution. It is bicameral: the lower body is the House of Representatives composed of 425 voting members and the upper body is the Senate composed of 100 voting members. The House also has six non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. Members of the U.S. Congress are chosen through direct elections.

The origins of National Write to Congress Day aren’t particularly clear. One of its first mentions was by Congressman Brian Higgins. On December 30, 2005, Higgins wrote an open letter encouraging his constituents to share their ideas and concerns by contacting his office by letter, phone or email on National Write to Congress Day. It is observed on January 3 because this is the day when a new session of Congress commences each year.

The main goal of National Write to Congress Day is to educate U.S. citizens about their democratic rights and encourage them to communicate their concerns to the government officials they elected into office to represent their interests. You can celebrate it by taking time to write to your congressional representatives and encouraging others to do the same. You can even host a letter writing party for your family and friend!

National Write Your Congressman (NWYC), an organization that helps small business owners and operators relay their concerns and opinions to elected officials, and the American Civil Liberties Union have some tips for those who want to write to their congressional representatives:

1. Choose an issue you feel strongly towards and want to express your concerns about: business and commerce, civil rights, environment, gun control, healthcare, immigration, labor rights, etc.
2. Learn more about the issue to understand what has already been done about it and what more can be done.
3. Find your elected officials and their contact information at Congress.org.
4. Tell them who you are and what issue you are concerned about in the opening paragraph of your letter.
5. Keep your letter concise: limit it to a single issue and use a maximum of three talking points.
6. Include a personal story to persuade your elected official that the issue really matters to you, your family and community.
7. Let your elected officials know that you supported them by voting for them, contributing to their campaigns, etc. If you have a personal or professional connection to them, it is worth mentioning, too.
8. Keep your letter on point and be polite, but don’t be afraid to be firm in your position.

Remember that reaching out to your representatives and urging them to make decisions and act on your behalf is your right, and you shouldn’t be shy to exercise it!