Call your Senate offices to urge your Senators to co-sponsor the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, which denies billions of dollars to Burma’s military regime.

Below are easy, detailed instructions about how to make sure your voice is heard by BOTH of your Senators. You may want to print this page, since it is a little long! Please start your calls, right away.

10 Quick Easy Steps for Calling  Your Senators
1. Brief Background on The Issue
2. Before You Call
3. How to Find Your Senators’ Names
4. Who to Ask For When You Call
5. What Number to Call
6. What to Say
7. What The Receptionist Will Say
8. What To Do Once You Are Transferred / Leave a Message
9. After Your Call
10. List of States and Senators

1. Brief BACKGROUND ON THE ISSUE

The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act denies hundreds of millions of dollars from getting in the hands of Burma’s military dictatorship and its cronies by prohibiting Burmese products from being imported into the United States.

The ban on imports sends a strong signal that Americans care about human rights in Burma.

We are not alone in this effort. The European Union renewed their sanctions in May, and Canada and Australia also keep sanctions on the military regime. Many of Burma’s Asian neighbors are also taking a stand — Singapore just said it will not invest in Burma until there is democracy and human rights in the country.

Most importantly, this Act supports Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, the elected leaders of Burma, who have asked us to place sanctions on the military regime. They hold that doing business with Burma primarily benefits the military elite and not the people. Burma’s ethnic leaders, such as the Karen National Union, have also called for sanctions on Burma.

Each year, Congress must vote to renew the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. This year, four leading Senators — Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and John McCain (R-AZ) – have introduced a bill to renew the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act.

Please call the staff members who handle foreign policy for each of your Senators and ask if your Senators will “co-sponsor” the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. Be sure to call both of your senators.

“Co-sponsorship” is a term that is well-understood by staff members in Congress. It is when a member of the Senate adds his/her name to a bill, in advance of a vote — in this case, the bill to renew the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. It signifies that the Senator will vote for the bill, when it comes to a vote. When you ask the staff member who handles foreign affairs for your Senators, if your Senators will “co-sponsor” the bill, they will know exactly what you mean. The more co-sponsors we get — it signifies strong support for human rights in Burma.

2. BEFORE YOU CALL

Remember, most Senate staffers enjoy hearing from constituents. So, relax, and enjoy this process of advocating for human rights!

3. HOW TO FIND YOUR SENATORS’ NAMES

To find your senators, scroll to the bottom of the screen and find your State’s name. Under your state’s name, both of your Senators will be listed. Everyone living in the 50 states is represented by two Senators.

4. WHO TO ASK FOR WHEN YOU CALL

Locate the name of your Senator’s foreign policy staffer on the list at the bottom of this email. Every Senator has a staff member who handles foreign policy. By talking directly to the foreign policy staffer, you increase your chances of getting your Senator to co-sponsor the legislation.

5. WHAT NUMBER TO CALL

Call them at the number that we have provided (also on the list below). It is best to call between the hours of 9:30am and 5pm, Eastern Standard Time (Monday through Friday).

6. WHAT TO SAY

When a receptionist answers the phone, ask to speak to the foreign policy staffer by name.

* “Hi my name is [your name] from [name of your state], may I speak to [name of the foreign policy staffer]?”

Tell the receptionist that you live in the Senator’s state and that you want to speak to the staffer about “co-sponsoring’ the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. Be sure to be polite, and say something like:

* “I’m calling because I would like to ask [staff person's name] if Senator [Senator's name] will co-sponsor the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act.”

7. WHAT THE RECEPTIONIST WILL SAY

At this point the receptionist will either:

A) Transfer you to the telephone of the staff member. If this happens see section “A” below. or

B) Transfer you to the voicemail of the staff member. If this happens see section “B” below. or

C) Say that the staff member is busy, and ask to take a message. If this happens see section “C” below.

8. WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU ARE TRANSFERRED / LEAVE A MESSAGE

A) IF YOU SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE STAFFER

I.) Thank them for speaking with you and tell them why YOU think they should co-sponsor.

II.) Tell them why you called. Here is a suggestion of what to say:

* “Hi my name is _______ I am from [your State]. I am very concerned about the Human Rights situation in Burma and am calling because I would like to urge Senator __________ to co-sponsor Senate Joint Resolution 17, a bill renewing the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. The people of Burma, including Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, have called for pressure on Burma’s military regime, and we should support the calls of the people of Burma”

*Then give her/him proof that this policy works: “The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act has cut off hundreds of millions of dollars to Burma’s military regime”

*Let her/him know that this a bipartisan effort, and tell them who are the first co-sponsors of the bill: “There are Senators from both parties supporting this bi-partisan effort: Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mitch McConnell (R-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and John McCain (R-AZ).

*If your Senator co-sponsored this bill in the past let the staff know. You should have received an email from us about this. If you are not sure, don’t worry about this point, or email us and ask (mikejen@uscampaignforburma.org): “I know that Senator ____ co-sponsored this bill before, and I hope Senator _____ will do so again.

* Offer to email a copy of Senate Joint resolution 17 to the staff member. You can download a copy, in PDF format, right here.

III.) OPTIONAL Beyond the basics here are some additional points for you to say:
- Mention the human rights abuses of the military regime. The regime has destroyed more than 3,300 villages. It has forcibly displaced more than half a million people inside Burma, as well as causing more than a million refugees to flee across the border to neighboring countries and has made no efforts to move toward democracy. The regime also locks up the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Aung San Suu Kyi.

- It is important to send a strong signal to the regime that the US government will continue to keep American money out the hands of the junta.

- Point out that other countries are increasingly following the US lead on sanctioning the military junta. The E.U., Canada and Australia have all imposed sanctions on Burma. Also, Singapore recently said it would not invest in Burma until there is a change to democracy.

- This is a bi-partisan effort.

IV.) Ask if your senator will cosponsor.
It is likely that they will not give you an immediate answer because they need to ask your Senator. If that is the case, ask them politely when you will know about the final decision and how you can be informed.

V.) Who your senator should contact if they agree to co-sponsor the bill:
Ask them to contact the following staffer, based on their party affiliation:

Democrats: Richard Harper in Senator Feinstein’s (D-CA) office at richard.harper@feinstein.senate.gov

Republicans: Ally Bird in Senator McConnell’s (R-KY) office at ally.bird@mcconnell.senate.gov

VI.) Ask them when you can call back to follow-up.

VII.) OPTIONAL: Add additional information about why YOU care about Burma.
-As Speaker of the House Tip O’Neal once observed “All Politics is Local,” meaning to be successful you must bring the issue home. Your senator represents YOU and it is you they want to hear from. If you have traveled to refugee camps on the Thailand-Burma border, know Burmese people, grew up in Burma, or care about human rights, be sure to let the staff member know.

VIII.) IMPORTANT: Let us know how it went!
-Send an email to: mikejen@uscampaignforburma.org to let us know what happened. Please be as detailed as you can.

B) IF YOU LEAVE A VOICEMAIL

I.) Leave a brief message with the foreign policy staffer. Here is a suggestion for a message to leave:

* “Hi, name is ________. I’m calling because I would like to urge Senator ___________ to add their name as a co-sponsor to the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. The bill is Senate Joint Resolution Number 17, it is being circulated by Senator Feinstein, McConnell, Durbin, and McCaion. I would appreciate it if you could call me back so we can discuss this further, or if you need a copy of the joint resolution. My number is (XXX)XXX-XXXX. Thank you!

II.) Call back (politely) every day until you talk to the staff member on the phone. Senators are very busy, so it often takes a few calls to get their attention. Once you reach them on the phone, follow the instruction in section “A.”

III.) Let us know how it went -Send an email to: mikejen@uscampaignforburma.org to let us know what happened. Please be as detailed as you can.

C) IF THE RECEPTIONIST OFFERS TO TAKE A MESSAGE

I.) Politely ask to be transferred to the staffer’s voicemail then follow the instructions for B) IF YOU LEAVE A VOICEMAIL.

II.) If the receptionist does not transfer you, politely leave a message with the receptionist using the script in Section “B” IF YOU LEAVE A VOICEMAIL.

III.) Do not be disappointed if you do not get forwarded to the voicemail. Every office is different with regard how the receptionist will handle the calls.

9. AFTER YOUR CALL

Email mikejen@uscampaignforburma.org to let us know how your call went! Or, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at (202) 234-8022.

Remember to call BOTH of your senators.

10. LIST OF STATES AND SENATORS

Alabama
Call Senator Jeff Sessions’s (R) foreign policy staffer Sandy Luff at (202) 224-4124
Call Senator Richard Shelby’s (R) foreign policy staffer Donald Watson at (202) 224-5744

Alaska
Call Senator Lisa Murkowski’s (R) foreign policy staffer Nathan Bergerbest at (202) 224-6665
Call Senator Mark Begich’s (R) foreign policy staffer David Ramseur at (202) 224-3004

Arizona
Call Senator John McCain’s (R) foreign policy staffer Richard Fontaine at (202) 224-2235 (already co-sponsors)
Call Senator John Kyl’s (R) foreign policy staffer Tim Morrison at (202) 224-4521

Arkansas
Call Senator Blanche L. Lincoln’s (D) foreign policy staffer Ted Serafini at (202) 224-4843
Call Senator Mark L. Pryor’s (D) foreign policy staffer Terri Glaze at (202) 224-2353

California
Call Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (D) foreign policy staffer Richard Harper at (202) 224-3841 (already co-sponsors)
Call Senator Barbara Boxer’s (D) foreign policy staffer Ann Norris at (202) 224-3553

Colorado
Call Senator Mark Udall’s (D) foreign policy staffer Jennifer Barrett at (202) 224-5941
Call Senator Michael Bennett’s (D) foreign policy staffer Andrew Leahy at (202) 224-5852

Connecticut
Call Senator Christopher J. Dodd’s (D) foreign policy staffer Joshua Blumenfeld at (202) 224-2823
Call Senator Joseph I. Lieberman’s (I) foreign policy staffer Vance Serchuk at (202) 224-4041

Delaware
Call Senator Thomas R. Carper’s (D) foreign policy staffer Wendy Anderson at (202) 224-2441
Call Senator Ted Kaufman’s (D) foreign policy staffer Halie Soifer at (202) 224-5042

Florida
Call Senator Bill Nelson’s (D) foreign policy staffer Greta Lundeberg at (202) 224-5274
Call Senator Mel Martinez’s (R) foreign policy staffer Victor at (202) 224-3041

Georgia
Call Senator Saxby Chambliss’s (R) foreign policy staffer Tyler Stephens at (202) 224-3521
Call Senator Johnny Isakson’s (R) foreign policy staffer Houston Ernst at (202) 224-3643

Hawaii
Call Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s (D) foreign policy staffer Mary Yoshikoa at (202) 224-3934
Call Senator Daniel K. Akaka’s (D) foreign policy staffer Jennifer Tyree at (202) 224-6361

Idaho
Call Senator Mike Crapo’s (R) foreign policy staffer Ken Flanz at (202) 224-6142
Call Senator Jim Risch’s (R) foreign policy staffer Michael Manning at (202) 224-2752

Illinois
Call Senator Richard J. Durbin’s (D) foreign policy staffer Chris Homan at (202) 224-2152 (already co-sponsors)
Call Senator Roland W. Burris’s (D) foreign policy staffer Gerald Thomas at (202) 224-2854

Indiana
Call Senator Richard G. Lugar’s (R) foreign policy staffer LeAnne Gibbs at (202) 224-4814
Call Senator Evan Bayh’s (D) foreign policy staffer Mike Pevzner at (202) 224-5623

Iowa
Call Senator Charles E. Grassley’s (R) foreign policy staffer Kurt Kovarik at (202) 224-3744
Call Senator Tom Harkin’s (D) foreign policy staffer Rosemary Guitierrez at (202) 224-3254

Kansas
Call Senator Sam Brownback’s (R) foreign policy staffers Ariel Wolf and Maggie Fleming at (202) 224-6521
Call Senator Pat Roberts’ (R) foreign policy staffer Libby Quint at (202) 224-4774

Kentucky
Call Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R) foreign policy staffer Reb Brownell at (202) 224-2541(already co-sponsors)
Call Senator Jim Bunning’s (R) foreign policy staffer Sarah Timoney at (202) 224-4343

Louisiana
Call Senator Mary L. Landrieu’s (D) foreign policy staffer Tim Sejba at (202) 224-5824
Call Senator David Vitter’s (R) foreign policy staffer Michael Wong at (202) 224-4623

Maine
Call Senator Olympia J. Snowe’s (R) foreign policy staffer Dylan Williams at (202) 224-5344
Call Senator Susan M. Collins’ (R) foreign policy staffer Rob Epplin at (202) 224-2523

Maryland
Call Senator Barbara A. Mikulski’s (D) foreign policy staffer Frank Cristinizio at (202) 224-4654
Call Senator Benjamin L. Cardin’s (D) foreign policy staffer Joe Scovitch at (202) 224-4524

Massachusetts
Call Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s (D) foreign policy staffers Sharon Waxman and Jorie Feldman at (202) 224-4543
Call Senator John F. Kerry’s (D) foreign policy staffer Frank Januzzi at (202) 224-2742

Michigan
Call Senator Carl Levin’s (D) foreign policy staffer Mike Kuiken at (202) 224-6221
Call Senator Debbie Stabenow’s (D) foreign policy staffer Kim Trinca at (202) 224-4822

Minnesota
Call Senator Amy Klobuchar’s (D) foreign policy staffer Tom Sullivan at (202) 224-3244

Mississippi
Call Senator Thad Cochran’s (R) foreign policy staffer Rachelle Johnson at (202) 224-5054
Call Senator Roger F. Wicker’s (R) foreign policy staffer Sarah Drake at (202) 224-6253

Missouri
Call Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond’s (R) foreign policy staffer Mike DuBois at (202) 224-5721
Call Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D) foreign policy staffer Tressa Guenov at (202) 224-6154

Montana
Call Senator Max Baucus’s (D) foreign policy staffer Andrew Person at (202) 224-2651
Call Senator Jon Tester’s (D) foreign policy staffer James Wise at (202) 224-2644

Nebraska
Call Senator Ben Nelson’s (D) foreign policy staffer Ann Premer at (202) 224-6551
Call Senator Mike Johanns’s (R) foreign policy staffer Andrew Peek at (202) 224-4224

Nevada
Call Senator Harry Reid’s (D) foreign policy staffer Lauren Bateman at (202) 224-3542
Call Senator John Ensign’s (R) foreign policy staffer Ryan Tully at (202) 224-6244 (already co-sponsors)

New Hampshire
Call Senator Judd Gregg’s (R) foreign policy staffer Brian Miller at (202) 224-3324
Call Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D) foreign policy staffer Chad Kreikemeier at (202) 224-2841

New Jersey
Call Senator Frank Lautenberg’s (D) foreign policy staffer Yuna Jacobsonat at (202) 224-3224
Call Senator Robert Menendez’s (D) foreign policy staffer Mark Lopesat at (202) 224-4744

New Mexico
Call Senator Jeff Bingaman’s (D) foreign policy staffer Jeffry Phan at (202) 224-5521
Call Senator Tom Udall’s (D) foreign policy staffer Pablo Duran at (202) 224-6621

Nevada
Call Senator Harry Reid’s (D) foreign policy staffer Lauren Bateman at (202) 224-3542
Call Senator John Ensign’s (R) foreign policy staffer Ryan Tully at (202) 224-6244

New York
Call Senator Charles Schumer’s (D) foreign policy staffer Anne Fialaat at (202) 224-6542
Call Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D) foreign policy staffer Elana Broitman at (202) 224-4451

North Carolina
Call Senator Richard Burr’s (R) foreign policy staffer Kevin Kane at (202) 224-3154
Call Senator Kay Hagan’s (D) foreign policy staffer Roger Penã at (202) 224-6342

North Dakota
Call Senator Kent Conrad’s (R) foreign policy staffer Tom Mahr at (202) 224-2043
Call Senator Byron Dorgan’s (D) foreign policy staffer Brian Moran at (202) 224-2551

Ohio
Call Senator George Voinovich’s (R) foreign policy staffer Joseph Lai at (202) 224-3353
Call Senator Sherrod Brown’s (D) foreign policy staffer Doug Babcock at (202) 224-2315

Oklahoma
Call Senator James Inhofe’s (R) foreign policy staffer Anthony Lavarski at (202) 224-4721
Call Senator Tom Coburn’s (R) foreign policy staffer Jeremy Hayes at (202) 224-5754

Oregon
Call Senator Ron Wyden’s (D) foreign policy staffer Joel Shapiro or Ben Widness at (202) 224-5244
Call Senator Jeff Merkley’s (D) foreign policy staffer Will White at (202) 224-3753

Pennsylvania
Call Senator Arlen Specter’s (D) foreign policy staffer Will Wagner at (202) 224-4254
Call Senator Robert Casey’s (D) foreign policy staffer Jofi Joseph at (202) 224-6324

Rhode Island
Call Senator Jack Reed’s (D) foreign policy staffer Adrienne Healey at (202) 224-4642
Call Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s (D) foreign policy staffer Ben Weiner at (202) 224-2921

South Carolina
Call Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R) foreign policy staffer Matt Rimkunas at (202) 224-5972
Call Senator Jim DeMint’s (R) foreign policy staffer Chris Charino at (202) 224-6121

South Dakota
Call Senator Tim Johnson’s (D) foreign policy staffer Krista Lemoreaux at (202) 224-5842
Call Senator John Thune’s (R) foreign policy staffer Jason van Beek at (202) 224-2321

Tennessee
Call Senator Lamar Alexander’s (R) foreign policy staffer Matt Sonnesyn at (202) 224-4944
Call Senator Bob Corker’s (R) foreign policy staffer Stacie Oliver at (202) 224-3344

Texas
Call Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s (R) foreign policy staffer Steven Rubright at (202) 224-5922
Call Senator John Cornyn’s (R) foreign policy staffer Dave Hanke at (202) 224-2934

Utah
Call Senator Orrin Hatch’s (R) foreign policy staffer Reed Ryan at (202) 224-5251
Call Senator Robert Bennett’s (R) foreign policy staffer Amber Sechrist at (202) 224-5444

Vermont
Call Senator Patrick Leahy’s (D) foreign policy staffer Tim Rieser at (202) 224-7284
Call Senator Bernard Sanders’s (I) foreign policy staffer Huck Gutman at (202) 224-5141

Virginia
Call Senator Jim Webb’s (D) foreign policy staffer Nathan Buniva at (202) 224-4024
Call Senator Mark Warner’s (D) foreign policy staffer Mark Brunner at (202) 224-2023

Washington
Call Senator Patty Murray’s (D) foreign policy staffer Joshua Jacobs at (202) 224-2621
Call Senator Maria Cantwell’s (D) foreign policy staffer Jonathan Hale at (202) 224-3441

West Virginia
Call Senator Robert Byrd’s (D) foreign policy staffer Jim Tuite at (202) 224-3954
Call Senator John Rockefeller IV’s (D) foreign policy staffer Greg Chaney at (202) 224-6472

Wisconsin
Call Senator Herb Kohl’s (D) foreign policy staffer Chad Metzler at (202) 224-5653
Call Senator Russ Feingold’s (D) foreign policy staffer Sarah Margon at (202) 224-5323

Wyoming
Call Senator Michael Enzi’s (R) foreign policy staffer Wendy Gnehm at (202) 224-3424
Call Senator John Barrasso’s (R) foreign policy staffer Mariah Moncecchi at (202) 224-6441