Go to Content Go to Navigation Go to Navigation Go to Site Search Homepage

Write Letters to the Editor and Contact Your Member of Congress

If you can't hold your elected officials accountable for their position on abortion in person, you can still make a big statement by writing a letter to the editor in your local newspaper. You can also call or write your member of Congress.

Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE):

Writing an LTE is a powerful, free way to communicate with decision-makers and your community. 

  • First, find out the guidelines for submitting an LTE at your local paper.
  • Write 200 words or fewer
  • Get personal.
  • Make sure your letter explains where your member of Congress stands on reproductive health and rights. Thank reproductive rights champions, and call out reproductive rights opponents.
  • Submit your LTE.

If it gets published, post it with the tag NoAbortionBan on social media.

Call Congressional Offices or Write Your Member of Congress (MoC):

Congressional offices track calls, letters, and emails they get on issues, as well as the stances of each constituent. Take advantage of this!

  • Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 or look up your MoC’s number at House.gov or Senate.gov.
  • If you’re writing a letter, visit your MoC’s website or your state's webpage for email addresses, contact forms, or physical addresses. 
  • If you’re mailing a letter, the following standard addresses can be used for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate: 
    • The Honorable [Insert Name], United States Senate, Washington, D.C., 20510
    • The Honorable [Insert Name], United States House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., 20515

What to Write and Say to Your MoC:

Introduce Yourself

  • Tell them where you live.
  • Express gratitude for efforts made to support abortion access OR demand they take steps to increase abortion access in your community and around the country. 
  • Use one of the sample messages below for reproductive rights champions and opponents.

Message for Reproductive Rights Champion:

Sample Script

“Hi, my name is __________, and I live in ___________. I’m calling to thank [insert elected’s name] for voting for [insert legislation]. Abortion should not be controversial: Abortion is safe, essential health care. I’m grateful to have [insert elected’s name]’s strong support for this important issue on the state and federal levels. Thanks!”

Message for Reproductive Rights Opponent

Sample Script

“Hi, my name is __________, and I live in ___________. [insert elected’s name] recently voted against bills to protect abortion access and our right to birth control. I urge [insert elected’s name] to listen to the people of [insert state]. Our community knows that access to safe and legal abortion is essential, and we demand that our elected representatives protect this right. Thank you for your time and for passing this message along.”

Return to the Congressional Recess Guide's homepage

Go

Text “ACCESS” to 22422

Join our mobile program for up-to-date info on the movement.

Message frequency varies. Text STOP to quit. Message and data rates may apply. See  wearepp.org/terms, wearepp.org/privacy.

Español

This website uses cookies

Planned Parenthood cares about your data privacy. We and our third-party vendors use cookies and other tools to collect, store, monitor, and analyze information about your interaction with our site to improve performance, analyze your use of our sites and assist in our marketing efforts. You may opt out of the use of these cookies and other tools at any time by visiting Cookie Settings. By clicking “Allow All Cookies” you consent to our collection and use of such data, and our Terms of Use. For more information, see our Privacy Notice.

Cookie Settings

Planned Parenthood cares about your data privacy. We and our third-party vendors, use cookies, pixels, and other tracking technologies to collect, store, monitor, and process certain information about you when you access and use our services, read our emails, or otherwise engage with us. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences, or your device. We use that information to make the site work, analyze performance and traffic on our website, to provide a more personalized web experience, and assist in our marketing efforts. We also share information with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners. You can change your default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of our Necessary Cookies as they are deployed to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information, please see our Privacy Notice.

Marketing

On

We use online advertising to promote our mission and help constituents find our services. Marketing pixels help us measure the success of our campaigns.

Performance

On

We use qualitative data, including session replay, to learn about your user experience and improve our products and services.

Analytics

On

We use web analytics to help us understand user engagement with our website, trends, and overall reach of our products.