There was a matter concerning Tricare{insurance for military members} that I tried to resolve over several months to no avail. My congressman resolved the matter for me altough it took some time. I am pleased.

I had the same experience with fixing a Medicate problem for my disabled mother.

Very helpful people. Congresscritters do, on occasion, really come through for their constituents, and for that, they are to be commended.

The only thing that I've ever gotten back was a form letter.

The one thing all Federal agencies don’t want is a CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY in their inbox; that puts their funding under a microscope.

I'd be surprised if any Congressperson is ever aware of these appeals, that is why they employ a staff. What they instruct their staff about constituent services is what counts. I agree that is an important part of their job. And just because the Congressperson might be on top of this does not mean that their staff is competent.

I have written to my representatives numerous times over the years. I have never once gotten a reply from the elected official themselves, only from a paid staffer, and that usually with a canned response. The most it has gotten me in to get on a number of mailing lists that have been re-sold to many organizations aligned with both parties, and some commercial entities as well.

So, don't misunderstand that you are writing to your representative. They will never see your missive. It might, just maybe, make it into a "summary of this week's mail," but even the chances of that seem slim based on my experience.

Three times US congressmen from Il have come through for me with nothing more than a phone call. The first was 30 years ago when I had some jack wagon business owner trying to screw me over. Apparently one letter to that man’s office and he got his shit straight in a hurry.

The other two times were when I contacted Peter Roskam’s office to discuss some matters coming to the floor. Both times a staffer answered the phone and listened politely to my point of view, thanked me and then we hung up. Both times Congressman Roskam personally called me back within 20 minutes and spent some time discussing my concerns. He continued getting my vote until redistricting. Then I was represented by Tammy Duckworth.

Call their DC office tell whomever answers you're a constituent and ask, "Who is the LA (legislative assistant) for XXXXX ?" If it's veterans affairs, IRS, agriculture, whatever, find the staffer who handles that issue. That's the person who can help you and/or make sure a case worker in the district office gets on your issue. Getting to committee staffers is a little tougher, as they don't work in the Member's Congressional office. But they can be helpful too.

quote:

I have written to my representatives numerous times over the years. I have never once gotten a reply from the elected official themselves, only from a paid staffer, and that usually with a canned response. The most it has gotten me in to get on a number of mailing lists that have been re-sold to many organizations aligned with both parties, and some commercial entities as well.

^^^^^^^^^^
Well you can vote them out come election time. I have personally met both my SEnators and Congressmen and both have been helpful. Perhaps you live in a larger district than me.

quote:

They will never see your missive.

Hasn’t been my experience. Andy Biggs went after the ATF and the FBI for me several times now when they stonewalled me about delayed NFA submissions. I got my stamp 24-48 hours each time. Maybe your representatives just suck?

quote:

Maybe your representatives just suck?

There is absolutely no question about that!

Senators: Warner and Kaine
Congressman: Beyer

None of them are worth a snot-filled Kleenex.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

I have written to my representatives numerous times over the years. I have never once gotten a reply from the elected official themselves, only from a paid staffer, and that usually with a canned response. The most it has gotten me in to get on a number of mailing lists that have been re-sold to many organizations aligned with both parties, and some commercial entities as well.

^^^^^^^^^^
Well you can vote them out come election time. I have personally met both my SEnators and Congressmen and both have been helpful. Perhaps you live in a larger district than me.

There is no way in this world that you can vote out some of them. I lived in Maryland for many years. I moved to Bowie Md. in 1985. Steny Hoyer was the Congressman then. He still is.

Many moons ago, in 1979, I got married to a service member while we were both serving. I tried for months to get the Army to change my last name, but they refused to do so because I was a man. After exhausting all available remedies, I wrote a carefully worded letter to Senator Barry Goldwater, who was one of my senators at the time. It took ONE WEEK for the earthquake. According to the Army regs and the law, I was right and those who had denied my request, at least those who had done so in writing, were in deep shit. I was pulled off my duty assignment and escorted around to have all my documents updated. Now, of course, it would be no big deal.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
[QUOTE]I have written to my representatives numerous times over the years. I have never once gotten a reply from the elected official themselves, only from a paid staffer,

Congress people have staff that are “Specialists” in various areas - it is not common for the Congressperson to personally handle issues… unless, of course, they are big donors to the campaign.

The company I worked for trotted me out as a voting constituency to lobby for Clinical Labs legi. It was obvious to me that access was granted due to $$$; the Congressman obviously had no f*cks to give, looking bored and inattentive for the whole five minutes. On a positive note, the needed legislation was actually passed!

Here is the number of people that each Congressman represents over the years. With over 700,000 people, lots of them write the Congressman, requiring considerable time to research and respond, necessitating responses by paid staffers.

Timeline of Population per Representative
• 1910: About 209,447 people per Representative.[prb +1]
• 1920: About 241,000 people per Representative.[nbcnews]
• 1950: About 344,000 people per Representative.[nbcnews]
• 2000: About 646,000 people per Representative.[prb +1]
• 2020: About 761,000 people per Representative.[pewresearch]
This increase is a direct result of the U.S. population growth, while the number of House seats has been fixed at 435 since the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929. The ratio is expected to keep rising as the population expands without a corresponding increase in House representation.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
I'd be surprised if any Congressperson is ever aware of these appeals, that is why they employ a staff. What they instruct their staff about constituent services is what counts. I agree that is an important part of their job. And just because the Congressperson might be on top of this does not mean that their staff is competent.

I have written to my representatives numerous times over the years. I have never once gotten a reply from the elected official themselves, only from a paid staffer, and that usually with a canned response. The most it has gotten me in to get on a number of mailing lists that have been re-sold to many organizations aligned with both parties, and some commercial entities as well.

So, don't misunderstand that you are writing to your representative. They will never see your missive. It might, just maybe, make it into a "summary of this week's mail," but even the chances of that seem slim based on my experience.

My experience is similar to yours. I think what makes the difference is how seriously the member of Congress takes service to constituents and hires competent staff to act accordingly. Thus, individual experience will vary across the country, even across a state.

Perhaps living in the South is part of the deal. When Congress is out they are meeting and greeting. I have been pleased by the help I have received.