Recent actions by the U.S. federal government, including funding and employee cuts, are putting scientific research at risk. Members of Congress need to hear from you to clearly understand the impact this is having on constituents in their state, so they can advocate on your behalf at the federal level. Calling your representative is the best way to make your voice heard.

Find Your Representative's Contact Information
Enter your home address on govtrack.us to locate your Member of Congress or Senators and their phone number.
Make the Call
When a staff member answers, introduce yourself by sharing your name and address to confirm you are a constituent.

If you're directed to voicemail, simply leave a message. Some voicemails have strict time limits, so try to keep your talking points short and under 30 seconds.

Keep It Clear and Concise*
Your conversation might be brief due to other incoming calls, so be sure to clearly mention the following (as applicable):

Why you are calling
Your research area
Importance of federal funding to your research
How your research and molecular plant-microbe interactions research more broadly serves the national interest

Remain Polite and Professional
Be respectful during the call and offer your contact information in case they want to follow up with you later.
Add Personalization and Your Own Story*
Here is an example of a message that gets at all key points your representative will need:

"My name is [Full Name], and I live on [Street in City, State]. I'm a [role] at [organization], focusing on [research area]. My work is funded by [government agency] and is vital because [main public impact of your research].
I'm very concerned about recent White House decisions to freeze federal funding and restrict communication between federal employees and the scientific community. These actions directly impact me, my colleagues in [your state], and our ability to make scientific advancements that benefit your constituents. We are all incredibly concerned. I strongly encourage [Representative Name] to take steps to reverse these freezes. I'd be happy to discuss this matter further at [phone number]. Thank you."

Email Works Too: Don't have time to call? Find email addresses on govtrack.us too and hit on your key points in an email.
Spread the Word: Encourage your colleagues and lab members to make calls or send emails. Every touchpoint matters!

* Please ensure that you adhere to your university's or agency's policies when creating your talking points and making calls/sending emails.

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