Your August Recess Toolkit

By Art Harman, Editor, The Goldwater-Thomas Report — The Conservative Caucus

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The House and Senate packed their bags and headed out for the rest of summer. They refused to pass the SAVE America Act and other key bills before fleeing for fun and fundraising.

The House won’t return until August 31, and the Senate is on vacation until September 14! And both the House and Senate will quit again for a campaigning vacation for the entire month of October and until the second week of November. Meanwhile critical legislation sits abandoned.

Use this as your guide for taking effective actions for both the summer and through Election Day.

‘Must-Pass’ Legislation

You can use this time to build support for critical legislation:

Call Congress!

In August, the lobbyists aren’t visiting and Congress isn’t in session, so when you call the offices of your Senators or Representative, the staff won’t be too busy to talk.

Here’s an important tip: Don’t just leave a message with the receptionist.

They would note that another person called on a particular topic. Far better is to ask to speak to the “Legislative Assistant” for the issue you are calling about. Mention that you are a constituent. You can use the Capitol Hill slang abbreviation and ask for “the LA for [your issue].” It’s pronounced like you say Los Angeles.

The LA is the person who advises the Member on that particular issue. And a short, pleasant discussion will be the most effective.

Because of their duties, that LA may not be in the office or be in a meeting when you call. So ask the receptionist for the email and leave a voice message. Send the Assistant a short and friendly email advocating for your issue and requesting a reply. It goes without saying, but no matter how frustrated you may be at their inaction or opposition, your conversation and messages should be respectful and polite.

The main Capitol switchboard to reach any Member is 202-224-3121. You can also find your Rep or Senator’s website and call directly.

Local Congressional Office Visits

Have you ever met your Representative, your Senators, or their staff? You can!

During August and at other break times, your Representative and Senators will spend some time at their local, in-state offices. Those offices are listed on their websites.

Call the listed number(s) and ask to arrange a meeting. Tell them you’d like to schedule a short meeting with the Member or staff about your issue. Expect you’ll have 5-10 minutes for your meeting.

Invite one or a few friends–a small group of political friends can make a greater impact. Organizing the visit to invite a few business or civic leaders will provide additional clout.

You can give them a concise, one-page summary with your contact information on it—but don’t bring a stack of information because they don’t have the time to read it. Afterwards, send them a thank you email.

Whether you have an in-person visit or a call with a Congressional staff member, be focused, concise and brief. Concentrate on one bill or request, not a dozen. Write out your talking points in advance.

Public Events

Especially during the summer, Members will attend campaign rallies and fundraisers, march in holiday parades and speak at civic meetings.

If you see a Member there, introduce yourself politely and offer your requests for supporting or opposing a bill. They’ll appreciate a quick thanks if they have voted conservative. Be quick—they won’t have time to talk long.

Town Hall Meetings

Members also hold ‘Town Hall’ meetings to discuss the issues with their constituents.

You and your friends can attend and ask questions. Of course, always be respectful no matter their voting record. Typically, they will make a short speech, and then open the floor for short questions. Line up early at the microphone to get a chance to talk! Prepare in advance your question or comment—don’t give a speech—they’ll cut you off.

Call their offices for town hall dates and locations.

Campaign Events

Campaign events, such as rallies and fundraisers are also good opportunities to have a quick moment with both candidates and incumbents.

As at other public events, always be brief and polite.

Help Conservative Candidates Win

Time is running out! It’s still summer, but early voting starts on September 18 in a few states. Many more in early October, and by mid-October, most states have early voting open to all. So the campaigning you do now is as important as it would be in the autumn.

We must save the House and Senate this year—as well as elect conservatives in state and local races. We urge everyone to volunteer with campaigns.

Use some of your evenings, weekends and vacation time to support your conservative local, state and Congressional candidates.

You can volunteer with one or more candidates. They always need help with mailings, calling voters, walking neighborhoods with literature, putting up signs and many other projects.

Campaigns today have phone apps that let you make calls from your home to voters without showing your phone number, as well as special maps to use when walking neighborhoods that show you the GOP houses. That way you can remind them to vote, ask if they need an absentee ballot, early voting locations, or even a ride to the polls.

Of course, keep encouraging your friends to volunteer and vote, and reach everyone you possibly can on your social media.

Make sure everyone you know is registered to vote—and ask them to make their families are registered too.

Share our TV ads and website pages on social media.

Be a Poll Watcher or Election Official

We know many of the ways Democrats try to steal elections. You can be part of the defense. Your presence and your voice will discourage cheating.

You can object if you witness any irregularities, such as allowing people to vote in violation of your state’s voting laws, or suspect tampering with ballots and counting equipment.

Remember the 2020 election? Many poll watchers were kicked out and windows were blocked to keep secret whatever fraud may have been perpetuated—to avoid observers and cameras. We all knew what was happening. That degree of fraud is unlikely to be repeated because we are prepared for it. But that means we must remain ever-more vigilant.

Election Officials/Poll Workers administer and run the voting process, for both early voting and for election day. You would direct voters to check-in and show the required identification and verify any other required information. You would offer assistance and voting instructions, and follow the procedures for any disputes or discrepancies. This is all done in an official, nonpartisan capacity. The state usually offers a stipend for the day’s work

Contact your local election board to become an election official. Some states offer pay for the day(s). You will receive training. Such positions are limited and many apply for the jobs. Early voting starts in weeks, so right now is not too soon to contact the office to be put on the list.

Poll Watchers are volunteers selected by each party. Your responsibility will be to witness those who arrive to vote and raise an objection if you witness possible fraud or mistakes. This is a volunteer position. You may be given a party hotline to report possible fraudulent voters and counting. You will receive training.

Let your local party know soon if you’d like to be a poll watcher for early voting and/or for election day.

The Stakes are Immense

If the Democrats win the House and or the Senate, President Trump’s reforms will instantly end. This is why your help to elect conservative candidates matters so much.

Helping your candidates this summer will help more conservatives win this November and help save the Congressional majorities.

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Let’s multiply our efforts by getting everyone possible to read this ‘August Recess Toolkit.’ Please copy-and-paste the text into your social media. Email it to your friends. And print copies to hand out to friends, fellow parishioners and at your social gatherings.

— Art Harman, Editor, The Goldwater-Thomas Report — The Conservative Caucus

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About the author: Art Harman is Editor of The Goldwater-Thomas Report and Senior Vice President – Policy at The Conservative Caucus.

About The Conservative Caucus: Founded in 1974, The Conservative Caucus is a grassroots public policy action organization. Under President Jim Pfaff, the Caucus advances free enterprise, limited government, and traditional values.

Published August 4, 2026 by The Conservative Caucus.