Ask Congress to Oppose Trump's NAFTA 2.0

Engaging your Members of Congress is essential to defeat NAFTA 2.0 and eventually replace it with a deal that prioritizes people and planet, not corporate polluters. Click here to find out who your Representative is, and click here to find your Senators.  Here are a few ways to engage your Members of Congress:

  • Tweet at your Member of Congress: It’s easy! Use this sample tweet and put it in your own words on your social media platforms.

  • Call your Member of Congress: Just dial 1-855-980-2349, and feel free to use these talking points.

  • Ask a question at a town hall: By posing questions on NAFTA to your member of Congress at public events, you give them the opportunity to say where they stand, while letting them know where you stand. Below you’ll see a model question to ask. For added impact, record the question and answer on your phone, send the recording to anthony.torres@sierraclub.org and post it on social media with #TrumpedUpNAFTA and tag Sierra Club.

Town Hall Question: Trump’s NAFTA 2.0 deal fails to include strong environmental and labor protections while offering handouts to corporate polluters. It would encourage more outsourcing of jobs and pollution, keep medicine prices high, and contribute to climate change. Will you commit to voting against Trump’s NAFTA deal?

  • Set up a meeting with your Member of Congress: A really powerful way to have your voice heard is to set up a meeting with your Member of Congress. All representatives have offices in Washington, D.C as well as in their home districts, so it’s simple to set up an in-person meeting in your area. Below you will find some tips for setting up a meeting with your Member of Congress.   


While communicating with legislators and their staff might sound intimidating at first, organizing a Congressional visit is easy once you know what to expect and how to plan it. Plus, remember that it is the job of Members of Congress to represent their constituents – they want to know what is important to you.  

A. Schedule your visit

  • The first step to setting up a meeting with the staff of your Members of Congress is to know who your Members are. You can find names and contact information of your two Senators at this website and your Representative at this website.    
  • On the webpages of your Senators and Representative, you can find information on where they stand on issues related to trade and the environment, contact information (in Washington, D.C. and in their home district), and more.
  • To schedule your meeting in their home district, find the number for the district office near you on your Member of Congress’ webpage and ask to speak with the scheduler. It can sometimes take multiple tries to get through to a scheduler, so be persistent. Once you reach the scheduler, ask to set up a meeting with the staff member who works on trade issues.

B. Plan and practice

  • A successful Congressional visit starts with good preparation. Read about your legislator’s background and find out where he/she stands on issues relating to NAFTA, trade, and the environment.
  • It’s equally important that you have a clear idea of what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. Remember that you are trying to persuade your Representative or Senator to commit to opposing Trump’s NAFTA 2.0.
  • You may want to start by creating a meeting agenda that outlines your key points. You should also think about articles, fact sheets, or reports that can strengthen the persuasiveness of your argument. You can print out these materials and bring them to your meeting to leave with the staff member you meet with.  Here are two key materials that you may find useful to inform what you say, and as resources to leave with the staff member: 1. Sierra Club’s factsheet on Trump’s NAFTA deal, 2. A joint statement from leading environmental groups in opposition to Trump’s NAFTA deal.  
  • If possible, include in your meeting short personal stories that explain your position, such as how deals like NAFTA may have affected your community or state. Speaking about your experiences or the experiences of your community members is a powerful way to advocate for change and ensure that your meeting will not be forgotten by the legislator.
  • Finally, since a clear, concise, and well-organized presentation and a clear ask of your Member of Congress will yield the best results, make sure that you practice the meeting at least once.

C. Make the most of your meeting

  • Once the meeting begins in earnest, state the reason why you are there in a clear and concise manner. Summarize your concerns regarding Trump's NAFTA deal and be clear from the beginning that you are here to ask your Member of Congress to oppose it.
  • Since your time is limited, try to present your argument and demands in five minutes or less. During the meeting, you will want to balance how much time you and the Congressional staff speak. Listen carefully, take notes, and ask questions. In responding to the questions or statements of the legislator or legislator’s staff, be mindful of the fact that you are here to build bridges. Even if you deeply disagree with the Congressperson’s position, remain respectful.
  • At the end of the meeting, outline what the next steps are for follow-up. Go over what you and/or your group will do next and what the legislator and/or Congressional staff will do next. Review any commitments that your elected official might have made during the course of the meeting. Thank the staff again for their time. Finally, leave with the staff a folder that contains related information and your requests. Also, remember to ask for a business card from the Congressional staff so that you can easily follow-up.

D. Follow up

  • Within one to two days of the visit, send a thank you letter or email to your legislator and his/her staff that outlines the different points covered during the meeting. Also, forward any additional information you promised to supply. Try to keep in regular contact with your legislator by sharing trade-related news, events, and stories.