Contacting Congress

A month ago I posted an article about the Fiscal Cliff which turned out to be a moderate win for the White House. It was probably less of a win for the American public, given the behavior of some in Congress. Because of expected fighting between Republicans and Democrats in Washington you may be smart to keep in touch with your Congressman or United States Senators. I’ve updated the list of our New Jersey representatives and their district offices as there have been changes. For example, due to the 2010 Census and redistricting, New Jersey is now allocated only twelve Congressman not thirteen. Congressional district lines have also changed, resulting in the relocation of a few Congressional district offices.

If you wish to telephone your Representative or Senators, listed below are the telephone numbers of their Washington office and district offices. Phone calls are most often taken by a staff member. Ask to speak to the aide or legislative assistant who handles the issue of your concern. Also listed is the link to their email contact form.

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D)
Washington 202-224-3224
Newark 973-639-8700
Camden 856-338-8922
http://lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/index1.cfm

Senator Robert Menendez (D)
Washington 202-224-4744
Newark 973-645-3030
Barrington 856-757-5353
http://www.menendez.senate.gov/contact/

1st District – Robert Andrews (D)
Washington 202-225-6501
Woodbury 856-848-3900
Haddon Heights 856-546-5100
https://andrews.house.gov/contact-me

2nd District – Frank LoBiondo (R)
Washington 202-225-6572
Mays Landing 800-471-4450 or 609-625-5008
https://lobiondo.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

3rd District – Jon Runyan (R)
Washington 202-225-4765
Mount Laurel 856-780-6436
Toms River 732-279-6013
https://runyan.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

4th District – Chris Smith (R)
Washington 202-225-3765
Hamilton 609-585-7878
Whiting 732-350-2300
http://chrissmith.house.gov/contact/zipauth.htm

5th District – Scott Garrett (R)
Washington 202-225-4465
Glen Rock 201-444-5454
Newton 973-300-2000
https://garrett.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

6th District – Frank Pallone, Jr. (D)
Washington 202-225-4671
New Brunswick 732-249-8892
Long Branch 732-571-1140
https://pallone.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

7th District – Leonard Lance (R)
Washington 202-225-5361
Flemington 908-788-6900
Westfield 908-518-7733
http://lance.house.gov/contact-me1

8th District – Albio Sires (D)
Washington 202-225-7919
Bayonne 201-823-2900
Jersey City 201-309-0301
West New York 201-558-0800
Elizabeth 908-820-0692
https://sires.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

9th District – Bill Pascrell (D)
Washington 202-225-5751
Paterson 973-523-5152
http://pascrell.house.gov/contact/

10th District – Donald Payne, Jr. (D)
Washington 202-225-3436
Jersey City 201-369-0392
Newark 973-645-3213
http://payne.house.gov/contact/email-me

11th District – Rodney Frelinghuysen (R)
Washington 202-225-5034
Morristown 973-984-0711
https://frelinghuysenforms.house.gov/contact-form

12th District – Rush Holt (D)
Washington 202-225-5801
West Windsor 609-750-9365
https://forms.house.gov/holt/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Other useful website are:

Communicating with Congress – by Congress.org – providing a lot of tips such as the fact that our representatives prefer to receive email. However, it gives the phone number for the U.S. Capital Switchboard, 202-224-3121.

Contacting the Congress – by Juan Cabanela. A site that has been around since 1995. Enter your address to identify who your representative is, and then complete a form. Almost as easy as sending a postcard.

Find Your Representative – by U.S. House of Representatives. “Identify your member and let your opinion be heard.”

Additional links for New Jersey elected officials are available on a page of the New Jersey Community Resources website.

Keep in mind the income inequality gap between low and medium income earners and the top 1% has widened considerably in the last 30 years. The vote to avert the “fiscal cliff” did not change this fact. Continue to make your voice heard.