Capitol Watch
Advocacy Committee
Capitol Watch is a bipartisan, legislative/political action committee that educates Alliance members about legislative issues affecting medicine and community health and provides opportunities to advocate on behalf of the family of medicine.
Activities may include:
First Tuesdays in the District: Small group, relationship building meetings with local legislators in conjunction with the TCMS, held when the legislature is not in session.
First Tuesdays at the Capitol: TMA’s bi-annual grassroots lobbying program, where physicians, Alliance members and medical students from across the state converge on the Capitol to meet with their legislators during each session.
Biennial Legislative Party: This informal reception, begun in 2007 by the TCMA, is yet another way for Alliance and Medical Society members to meet and build relationships with local legislators. The party is held every two years in January, at the beginning of each legislative session.
TEXPAC membership: Please also consider membership in TEXPAC, the political arm of the TMA. TEXPAC plays a vital role in helping elect physician friendly candidates; informing members about medicine and health related issues, and influencing how medical laws are written. For more information or to join, visit: www.texpac.org.
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State Legislative Contacts
Governor
Greg Abbott (R) 512-463-2000 (f) 512-463-1849
email: www.governor.state.tx.us (click “Contact,” then choose “I need assistance”)
Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick (R) (o) 512-463-0001 (f) 512-463-0677 email: jamie.dudensing@ltgov.state.tx.us
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Dade Phelan (R) His office is 2W.13 in the State Capitol; P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768; 512-463-1000.
Email: house.texas.gov/members/speaker
State Senators
Charles Schwertner, MD (R) – District 5 o: 512-463-0105 f:512-863-8436 email Senator Schwertner
Sarah Eckhardt (D) – District 14 (o) 512-463-0114
(f) 512-463-5949 email Senator Eckhardt
Judith Zaffirini (D) – District 21 (o) 512-463-0121
(f) 512-475-3738 email Senator Zaffirini
Donna Campbell, MD (R) – District 25 (o) 512-463-0125
(f) 512-463-7794 email Senator Campbell
Dawn Buckingham, MD (R) - District 24 (o) (512) 463-0124
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State Representatives
(email format: firstname.lastname@house.state.tx.us)
Terry Wilson (R) District 20 (o) 512-463-0309
(f) 512-463-0049
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​Erin Zweiner (D) District 45 (o) 512-463-0647 (f) 512-463-3573
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Sheryl Cole (D) District 46 (o) 512-463-0506 (f) 512-463-7864
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Vikki Goodwin (D) District 47 (o) 512-463-0652 (f) 512-463-0565
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Donna Howard (D) District 48 (o) 512-463-0631 (f) 512-463-0901
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Gina Hinojosa (D) District 49 (o) 512-463-0668 (f) 512-463-0957
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Celia Israel (D) District 50 (o) 512-463-0821 (f) 512-463-1199
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Eddie Rodriguez (D) District 51 (o) 512-463-0674 (f) 512-463-0314
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James Talarico (D) District 52 (o) 512-463-0670 (f) 512-463-1469
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John Bucy, III (D) District 136 (o) 512-463-0696 (f) 512-463-9333
​To email your Representative follow this LINK, click on their picture and follow the instruction on their individual pages.
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Federal Legislative Contacts
US Senators
John Cornyn (R) (o) 202-224-2934 (f) 202-228-2856
email: www.cornyn.senate.gov (click “Contact,” then choose “Contact Form”)
Ted Cruz (R) (o) 202-224-5922 (f) 202-228-0755
email: www.cruz.senate.gov (click “Contact Ted”)
US Representatives
Michael McCaul (R) District 10 (o) 202-225-2401 (f) 202-225-5955 email: www.mccaul.house.gov (click “Contact Us,” then scroll to bottom of page)
Chip Roy (R) – District 21 (o) 202-225-4236 (f) 202-225-8628 email: chip.roy@mail.house.gov
John Carter (R) – District 31 (o) 202-225-3864 (f) 202-225-5886
email: www.carter.house.gov (click “Email John")
Lloyd Doggett (D) – District 35 (o) 202-225-4865 (f) 202-225-3073 email: www.doggett.house.gov (click “Contact Lloyd,” then “Write to Congressman”
Pete Sessions (R) District 17 (o) 254-633-4500
email: sessions.house.gov/ click "Email me"
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Guidelines for Effective Communications with Elected Officials
1. Personal visits and individual letters mailed to elected officials are usually the most effective means to communicate. However, when time is of the essence, and you wish to get a message to the official quickly, you can email or phone the office.
2. Make your letter one page or less, and include your return address and phone number.
3. Identify your subject matter and try to limit your correspondence to one issue at a time.
4. Keep your tone respectful and non-argumentative.
5. Please try to visit local legislators at least once during the session and to write at least one letter to your elected officials regarding issues most important to you and your medical family.
6. Be sure to write a thank you note after you have corresponded with a legislator and/or his staff person. And, keep in mind that staff persons should receive the same respect you would show the elected official.
If you do not know who represents you locally, see www.house.state.tx.us and click on “How do I find out who represents me?” If you do not know who represents you in Washington, go to www.house.gov and type in your zip code.
See www.texmed.org for the most current information regarding TMA’s positions on public policy measures affecting Medicine.