calling my senators for the first time
motivated by Ben Sheehan's article and posts on Instagram
I've never called my senators before, but today, MLK jr day, seems like a fitting time to try and use my voice for the pursuit of a better country.
(I'm guessing since it's a holiday, I'll be sent to voicemail, so I'll leave a message)
there is a script in the article, but I wanted to write my own, touching on how it's my first time, and also do research so I know where my senators stand - if they're already fighting for defunding ice, then I want to offer thanks and encouragement.
Senator Jeff Merkley
Hi Senator Merkley, my name is SJ and I am an Oregon resident. I’m calling to urge you to filibuster the upcoming Homeland Security appropriations bill unless there are significant changes to how ICE operates. They need to follow the law and be held accountable when they don't. Ideally, in my opinion, they would be defunded and dismantled completely. This is my first time ever calling a senator, and I want you to know that so that you know I'm that concerned, that scared, but also that hopeful and motivated. I also live near where the Ice shooting happened in Portland and saw your video calling for an investigation. Thank you for speaking up, thank you for listening, and for your time and effort spent serving Oregon's people. Congress needs to step up and use its power to reign in, change, defund, or abolish ICE.
Again my name is SJ, my phone number is [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. My zip code is [YOUR ZIP CODE].
Senator Ron Wyden
Hi Senator Wyden, my name is SJ and I am an Oregon resident. I’m calling to urge you to filibuster the upcoming Homeland Security appropriations bill unless there are significant changes to how ICE operates. They need to follow the law and be held accountable when they don't. Ideally, in my opinion, they would be defunded and dismantled completely. This is my second time ever calling a senator (I just left Senator Merkley a voicemail), and I want you to know that so that you know I'm that concerned, that scared, but also that hopeful and motivated. I saw that you spoke up against Ice building a detention center in Newport. Thank you for speaking up, for listening, and for your time and effort spent serving Oregon's people. Congress needs to step up and use its power to reign in, change, defund, or abolish ICE.
Again my name is SJ, my phone number is [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. My zip code is [YOUR ZIP CODE].
thoughts while trying to find out how these men feel about ice:
- omg they're so old (wyden is 76, merkley is 69)
- wyden has been serving for basically my entire life, which like, respect, but also like, let someone else have a turn, pls????
- wow congress has so much info on their website and idk what to make of any of it (example, here's an appropriations status table for 2026)
notes about making the call and after
- tried to call Merkley, it rang SO many times, but then the automated system picked up and his voice gave me four options, I pressed 1 to leave a voice message, and then was told that his voicemail box is full! I think I'll try again sometime this week.
- okay, called for Wyden and was able to leave a message. Their recording suggested spelling out your first and last name and providing your zip code before saying your message.
- um, i feel okay? i was definitely feeling anxious and stumbled over a few words when leaving my message. i kinda feel like i did something, but kinda not. it feels like a big thing to say something, but also simultaneously feels like it's inconsequential.
- I also sent the article to my parents and a few friends.
- Written: 19 Jan, 2026
- Published:
- Last updated: 4Â weeks ago
- Reply via email