Do my elected officials really want to hear from me?

100% absolutely, yes! Elected officials are in office because of their constituents, and most genuinely want to understand the issues that matter to the people they represent. Hearing directly from real voters like yourself on specific issues helps legislators understand the real human impact of policy decisions that can otherwise feel abstract. Your voice, particularly as someone who votes and lives in their district, carries real weight.

What typically happens when an elected official receives communications from a constituent?

Most offices track and log every piece of communication they receive. Staff members sort messages by topic and tally how many constituents have contacted the office in favor of or against a particular issue. These tallies are regularly reported to the legislator. When a significant number of constituents weigh in on the same topic, it signals to the official that the issue is important to their district and additional attention may be needed. Tip: Personalized, thoughtful messages about an issue will often carry more weight and get noticed, resulting in the likelihood of a personal response (but never guaranteed).

How do elected officials feel about grassroots advocacy?

Most elected officials view grassroots advocacy favorably and as an important part of the democratic process. It shows that an issue has broad community support beyond professional lobbyists or special interest groups. Legislators are also aware that for every person who takes action, many more constituents likely share the same concerns.

How long is too long when it comes to an effective message to a legislator?

Shorter is almost always better. A message of 200–300 words is ideal. State who you are (their constituent!), what issue you are contacting them about (an issue or bill #), what you are asking them to do (support vs. oppose, co-sponsor, etc.), and why it matters to you personally. Don’t overthink—speak from your heart and experience. Tip: Aim to make your key point in the first two sentences.

Should I include personal information about myself, family, or job in my message?

Including relevant personal context—your profession, your role as a caregiver, or how an issue directly affects you—will make your message more compelling and memorable. Use your judgment and only share what you are comfortable with and what is genuinely relevant. Tip: Avoid including financial details, medical specifics, or other sensitive data. A brief, authentic personal story can make a strong impact without getting too specific.

What happens when I send a message and who typically reads it?

At the federal level, most communications are ingested into an electronic system that segments messages into organized categories reviewed by the appropriate staff. At the state level, messages may go into a similar system or be sent directly to the office email. Constituent messages are initially read by junior staff who sort and categorize them, then reviewed by a legislative aide or policy staffer who specializes in that subject area. Particularly compelling messages may be flagged and brought directly to the legislator’s attention.

How do I find out who my elected officials are and how to contact them?

The advocacy system integrated into the American Vox Pop site will seamlessly connect you to your elected official based on the bill or issue (state vs. federal) and ensure delivery of your message.

Do I need to mention affiliations when contacting an elected official?

If you believe mentioning an affiliation (organization, club, society, etc.) has an advantage, do so—but always start by mentioning your personal connection as their constituent or someone who lives and votes in their district. Your constituent status is your most powerful credential.

Is there anything I should avoid when contacting an elected official?

Stay focused on one topic per message. Avoid foul language, personal attacks, or anything that could be misconstrued as a threat. Do not contact a federal official about a state issue (or vice versa) as it’s outside their jurisdiction. If you don’t have a personal story, don’t make one up—it’s okay to support or oppose an issue based on its merits alone.

Can I really make a difference?

100% yes! When you combine your voice with others in an organized advocacy effort, the cumulative impact can be significant. While quantity does matter, a well-written, heartfelt message from a constituent can and often does shift or enhance an official’s perspective.

Restart American Nuclear: Rebuilding Our Nuclear Energy Future

For decades, America led the world in nuclear innovation. In 1974, the United States operated more commercial nuclear capacity than the rest of the world combined. Today, we stand at a critical crossroads: China has 37 reactors under construction, while the United States has essentially zero. The technical knowledge did not vanish, nor did the supply chain collapse from physics. Instead, American nuclear progress has been strangled by an indeterminate, decade-long licensing process at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).We the People must demand that Congress take immediate action to restore our energy sovereignty. By recognizing the rigorous safety certifications of our trusted global allies and providing targeted, temporary cost-shares for first-of-a-kind deployments, we can rebuild our industrial capacity, secure our grid, and reclaim our position as the global leader in clean, reliable, and abundant energy.

Restart American Nuclear: Reclaim Energy Sovereignty

Empower American energy independence by streamlining nuclear licensing, establishing federal cost-shares, and securing our domestic fuel supply.

Why This Matters: The Cost of Lost Decades

The Indeterminate Regulatory Queue

The NRC's licensing process has become a black hole where developers cannot tell investors when, or even if, a license will be issued. This uncertainty drives vital capital away from nuclear energy and into foreign markets.

Redundant Safety Reviews

The world's most safety-conscious regulators in Canada, the UK, France, and South Korea have already certified advanced reactor designs. The NRC routinely forces developers to redo this work from scratch, wasting precious years and millions of dollars.

A Dangerous Geopolitical Gap

While America's nuclear construction capacity has stalled, geopolitical rivals are rapidly scaling their grids. This is not just an energy issue; it is a profound national security vulnerability that threatens our economic and technological leadership.

Our Proposed Solutions: The Restart American Nuclear Package

✓

24-Month Peer-Regulator Recognition

Direct the NRC to publish a strict 24-month licensing timeline for any reactor design already certified by trusted peer regulators in Canada, the UK, France, or South Korea, using their reviews as the baseline.

✓

Targeted Federal Cost-Share

Authorize a 40% federal cost-share (capped at $1 billion per project) for the first 10 commercial deployments of NRC-approved small modular reactors (SMRs), to be recovered through power-purchase revenue once operational.

✓

Secure the Fuel Supply Chain

End America's dependence on Russian-sourced enriched uranium by authorizing long-term Department of Energy (DOE) offtake contracts for domestic High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) production.

✓

Build a National Nuclear Workforce

Establish a robust workforce pipeline by funding specialized welding, reactor operations, and radiation protection certifications at community colleges within 100 miles of designated reactor sites.

✓

Enforce Congressional Oversight

Require annual public reporting to Congress on NRC licensing timelines, peer-regulator equivalencies, and cost-share disbursements to ensure transparency and accountability to American taxpayers.

Key Facts at a Glance

China: 37 | United States: ~0

The current scoreboard for nuclear reactors under construction, representing a massive shift in global industrial dominance.

94 Commercial Reactors

The number of commercial reactors built in U.S. history. The operational expertise and capability remain within living memory.

5 to 10 Years

The average timeline required to secure an NRC license, a duration completely incompatible with urgent national energy demands.

4 Peer Regulators

The number of highly respected OECD regulators (Canada, UK, France, South Korea) with active SMR certifications that the U.S. could leverage immediately.

25% Import Reliance

The historic share of U.S. enriched uranium imported from Russia, highlighting a critical supply-chain vulnerability that this campaign aims to close.

Sample Talking Points

America pioneered nuclear energy, yet today we let red tape stand between our citizens and abundant, reliable power.

If a nuclear reactor design is safe enough for our closest allies in Canada and the UK, it is safe enough to begin a streamlined review in the United States.

We cannot achieve true national security or economic dominance while relying on geopolitical adversaries for our nuclear fuel supply.

The Office of the Citizen demands that public servants at the NRC prioritize results, efficiency, and accountability over endless bureaucratic delays.

Investing in small modular reactors today secures the high-tech workforce and industrial capacity America needs for the next century.

Want to Take Action?

Engage with American VoxPop. Contact your elected officials to make your voice heard on this campaign.

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EnergyNational SecurityInfrastructureNuclearDeregulation

Restart American Nuclear: Rebuilding Our Nuclear Energy Future

Restart American Nuclear: Reclaim Energy Sovereignty

Why This Matters: The Cost of Lost Decades

The Indeterminate Regulatory Queue

Redundant Safety Reviews

A Dangerous Geopolitical Gap

Our Proposed Solutions: The Restart American Nuclear Package

24-Month Peer-Regulator Recognition

Targeted Federal Cost-Share

Secure the Fuel Supply Chain

Build a National Nuclear Workforce

Enforce Congressional Oversight

Key Facts at a Glance

China: 37 | United States: ~0

94 Commercial Reactors

5 to 10 Years

4 Peer Regulators

25% Import Reliance

Sample Talking Points

Deep Dive: Reclaiming Global Leadership in Nuclear Energy

Want to Take Action?

Stay Informed

Advocacy Campaign FAQs

Restart American Nuclear: Rebuilding Our Nuclear Energy Future

Restart American Nuclear: Reclaim Energy Sovereignty

Why This Matters: The Cost of Lost Decades

The Indeterminate Regulatory Queue

Redundant Safety Reviews

A Dangerous Geopolitical Gap

Our Proposed Solutions: The Restart American Nuclear Package

24-Month Peer-Regulator Recognition

Targeted Federal Cost-Share

Secure the Fuel Supply Chain

Build a National Nuclear Workforce

Enforce Congressional Oversight

Key Facts at a Glance

China: 37 | United States: ~0

94 Commercial Reactors

5 to 10 Years

4 Peer Regulators

25% Import Reliance

Sample Talking Points

Deep Dive: Reclaiming Global Leadership in Nuclear Energy

Want to Take Action?

Stay Informed