NoEscalation.org

Sample script for calling the House

October 27, 2009 | HR 2404, United Against Afghanistan Escalation

Calling Tips
* Get the phone number from the excel spreadsheet on the main page (click and use arrows to scroll down), or call the Congressional switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask to be transfered to the Representative’s office.

* Check the spreadsheet on and search through the comments to see what’s known so far about where the Representative stands.  Key things you want to know are: has the Rep.  spoken out against sending more U.S. troops? Has the Rep. co-sponsored the McGovern bill? Has the Rep.  co-sponsored the Lee bill? That’s going to shape your conversation with the office or the message you leave if you have to leave a message.

* Be polite, respectful and clear.

* Introduce yourself to whoever answers the phone. Let them know you are a constituent (if you are a constituent) and mention what city you live in.

* If you can, try to get a staff person who knows the Representative’s position on Afghanistan on the phone.

* Say that you’re very concerned about plans to escalate militarily in Afghanistan and that you want the Representative to speak out against it.

Example Script for Your Calls

Hello, my name is __________ and I’m a constituent (if you are a constituent) calling from __________ (city or town).

Could I speak to your staff person who handles Afghanistan, or someone who can tell me the Representative’s position on proposals to send more U.S. troops? (If no, leave a message urging the Representative to speak out against sending more troops and to support the McGovern exit strategy bill and the Lee bill prohibiting an increase in troops.)

(If the Rep. has co-sponsored the McGovern bill:) Thank  you for co-sponsoring the McGovern bill, requiring the Pentagon to present Congress with an exit strategy from our military occupation of Afghanistan.

(If the Rep. has co-sponsored the Lee bill:) Thank  you for co-sponsoring the Lee bill, prohibiting an increase in U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

I’m very concerned about press reports that President Obama may decide to send 40,000 or more troops to Afghanistan.

Can you tell me if Rep. ____ has spoken out against sending more troops to Afghanistan, or plans to do so?

(If  staff refers you to a press clip or their website, and you find something stating a position, post the URL to the No Escalation website in your reportback.)

(If the Representative has not co-sponsored the McGovern bill) I urge you to co-sponsor the bipartisan resolution introduced by Representative McGovern calling for the Pentagon to present Congress with an exit strategy from our military occupation of Afghanistan. This legislation now has 100 co-sponsors.

(If the Representative has co-sponsored the McGovern bill but not the Lee bill) I urge you to co-sponsor the legislation introduced by Representative Lee that would  prohibit funding for sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

(If they say anything about the McGovern or Lee bills, include that in your reportback.)

Report your results here.