writing your congressperson

posted on Jan 29, 2025

danny caballero

This post does not reflect the views of Michigan State University (my employer), the Union of Tenure System Faculty, the Michigan Education Agency, or any other organization with which I am affiliated.

everything is fine

Y’all it is starting to feel chaotic, uncertain, and a bit scary. It’s been ten days since the inauguration and the slew of executive orders that have been issued are starting to have real impacts on people, projects, and programs. I get that for some of us, it’s much more prevalent and real than for others. People have their own lives and responsibilities and it’s hard to keep up, it’s hard to continue to care, or it’s not yet reached a point where it’s a concern to them.

I’m looking at the recent news reports freezing federal loans and grants, which has been temporarily blocked or the orders to dismantle federal programs that reduce bias and level the playing field, or any number of executive orders targeting our trans friends and family or those focused on our immigrant and undocumented friends and neighbors including the view that birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, which has again been blocked by a judge and wondering what I can do. Many of these orders have a emotional and mental impact on me, as they attack my friends, my family, my colleagues, my values, and my career.

I have a tendency to share my emotions and thoughts openly, and loudly - likely to the point of repetitive annoyance of my co-workers and friends. But, I also tend to act on those feelings. This is a time that I feel compelled to act, and I want to help others act. If that looks like providing information, resources, or guidance, then I’m going to do that as best as I can.

There’s a lot to do, but I want this post to help you understand the material impacts of these orders on me and my work, why it’s important to communicate with your congressperson, and how to write a letter (when the time comes) that is read and understood.

have you ever written your congressperson?

No, I’m not joking. I’ve done it and it works. Not every time, but it does work.

It works when you write a focused letter with a clear ask. Most letters are read by staff, but a compelling and well-written letter can make it to the member of congress. Moreover, letters from constituents can make a difference, especially when they focus on the material impacts of policy decisions.

If you have never written a letter to congress, there are tons of guides to do so. Here’s a couple:

• Council on Foreign Relations Guide
• National Consumer Law Center Guide

so, why this guide?

First, the recent executive orders related to dismantling DEI and freezing federal grants and loans are going to produce deletorious and material effects on people, projects, and programs. Second, communicating with congress members and their staff, particularly those that don’t share your same values, interests, and beliefs can be a real challenge. For some of us, writing to someone that disagrees with you is an important exercise in communication and advocacy. We need to be able to communicate with people that don’t share our views.

Let’s unpack the way to write the letter. The goal is to ensure that it is read and understood by staff - who act as the first line of review. After that, it’s somewhat up to the staff how to present and communicate that information to their boss – the member of congress. Key to this is remaining respectful and providing specifics.

a letter about impacts on research and education

My full letter (PDF)

Asking a member of congress who represents you to act on your behalf is a key part of the democratic process. While there are many potential letters that you could write, it’s important to focus on mapping the impacts to the member of congress. In this case, I’m focusing on the impacts of the DEI and federal grant and loan executive orders on my work at MSU.

1. Start with an introduction and be specific. Include your ask. Include how the member represents you. Ensure you offer a rationale aligned with components of the member’s interests. Below, I’m writing for my representative, Tom Barrett, who was recently elected to congress. You can find your senator’s contact information here and your representative’s here.

Dear Representative Barrett,

I’m Danny Caballero, a professor at Michigan State University (MSU), resident of East Lansing, a constituent in your district (MI House District 07), and a first-generation college graduate. I have been a physics and computational science professor at MSU for the last twelve years. I’m writing to urge you to oppose the harmful impacts of recent executive orders that threaten Michigan’s STEM education and workforce development.

My work is in education and focuses on developing curriculum and pedagogies that improve our STEM programs and ensure MSU’s STEM graduates are ready to compete for the future of science and technology. I have won department, college, and university-wide teaching awards including the Presidential Teaching Award in 2018. I have been awarded nearly $12M in federal and private funding to build these programs, study them, and provide lessons for colleges and programs across the US.

For our work, the Physics and Astronomy Department was recognized for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education by the American Physical Society (APS) in 2022, my team was awarded the APS’s Educational Prize in 2023, and I was personally elected fellow of the APS that year for my educational contributions to the field. At MSU, we aim to graduate the best prepared and most knowledgeable scientists and engineers that we can. Our state deserves to have its young people prepared to compete for the future of work.

2. Quickly move to your request and reference government documents. News reports can be helpful, but congress works in a different arena. They talk about EOs and bills using coded language and shorthand. Avoid using language that indicts the order as the member might not share your views. Instead, think about how important this work should be to your member. What about your work impacts them and their interests? Remind them of the material impacts.

President Trump’s recent executive orders restrict DEI programs, federal funding, and recruitment efforts that have been key to growing STEM programs in Michigan. These changes create confusion and may jeopardize ongoing initiatives that support our students. The recent freezes to federal grants and loans has only exacerbated the situation; fortunately it has been put on hold by the judiciary. My request is that you speak with your colleagues in the Michigan delegation and with your colleagues in your party about these impacts and the importance of supporting STEM education and research in Michigan. Consider the impact of these orders on the programs that I have developed and the students that I have worked with over the last decade; our efforts have improved education for tens of thousands of STEM students at MSU. At best, these orders are confusing and at worst, they are deeply troubling.

3. Get specific and provide examples of the present impact and potential future impact should the course be stayed. Remind them again why they should care about this issue.

As you know, STEM is a critical driver of innovation, a key lever in economic growth and expansion, and an essential effort to compete on the global stage. My work in STEM education with a focus on computing, data science, and machine learning education research is an important aspect of MSU’s mission to compete. And my work is critical to the future of Michigan’s economy.

These executive orders are both far-reaching and difficult to interpret. I am still unsure what impact these have on my work at MSU. The programs that my team has developed over the last decade to recruit talented students in STEM, to provide those students with the tools and skills necessary to compete in 21st century STEM fields, and to ensure that we continue to remove barriers and provide level playing field for all students seem that they will be deeply impacted, and potentially unable to continue in the future.

My present work focuses on expanding a program of professional development for college and university teachers who want to incorporate computing, machine learning, and data science into their curriculum. The project was built from a successful five-year NSF funded project that catalyzed the effort. The proposed pause and the potential cancellation of this program would impact the professional development and growth of nearly 1600 university educators across the country as well as their students numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

The impact of these executive orders will be visited on the working-class students, the first-generation students, the students of color, and the students from rural communities that we have worked so hard to recruit and retain in our programs. These students are the future of Michigan’s economy and the future of our state. I urge you to consider the impact of these orders on these students and their families.

4. Close with a thank you and a clear ask for a response.

I want to thank you for your time and attention. I do hope that you will consider the impact of these orders on your district, especially on MSU and the students and families that we serve. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how these policies affect MSU and Michigan’s STEM workforce.

Please let me know a time if there is an opportunity to meet.

5. Then just sign your name and provide your contact information.

where to send the letter?

You looked up the contact information right? If not, here it is again:

• https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
• https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative