FAQs Information

I am planning a trip to Washington, DC. Can your office help me with tour information?

Yes, this site provides information on how my office can help you arrange tours of historical buildings, landmarks and other sights in Washington, DC. On the Tour Information page, you can download a Word document or PDF file with a comprehensive list of tourist attractions and opportunities in the Washington, DC, area.  That may help you to make the best use of your time visiting the city.  You will also find the attractions broken out into various interest groups, like Museums, Civil War Sites, Presidential Homes and others.  Some sites, like the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress, provide guided tours that will make your visit more interesting.  My office can assist in making tour arrangements.  You will also find a Metro (subway) map and advice on how to plan your trip to our nation's capital.

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How can I find out what is happening on a particular piece of legislation that interests me?

Please first visit the About the Senate section on this site.  It has a lot of resources that can help you narrow down your search for information.  Additionally, the Internet provides many sources of information on legislation pending before Congress. One of the best sites on congressional legislation is maintained by the Library of Congress. The site, called Thomas after Thomas Jefferson, provides a searchable database of all legislation presented in Congress. It also provides information on the current status of each bill and its text.

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How do I contact one of your offices?

With seven state offices located throughout Idaho, one should be close to you and can serve your needs. You can find the office closest to you here.

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What is the best way to learn your position on an issue?

Ask me, write to me, call me, FAX me, e-mail me. I'm happy to respond on any issue that is important to you. You are welcome to stop by one of my Idaho offices as well. You can also visit the issues page on this site where I've posted my position. You can also view the Top Concerns from Idahoans for the previous week. This web page features the top five issues of concern from Idahoans and my response on each; it is updated weekly.

Each week that the Senate is in session, I conduct a teleconference with several Idaho reporters.  An audio file from each Tuesday call is posted in the Multimedia section of this site.  The calls generally last 15-20 minutes.

Several times a year, I host a iTownHall meeting, using telephone and Internet technology.  During this hour-long meeting, participants are invited to ask me questions in a forum that is similar to a town hall meeting.  If you want to sign up to participate in future iTownHall meetings, please do so here.  If you want to listen to past iTownHall meetings, please visit the iTownHall Meeting Archive.

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How do I make an appointment to meet with you in Washington, DC?

If you need to schedule an appointment with me or invite me to an event in the Washington, DC area, please FAX your request to my Executive Assistant Karen Brown at (202) 228-1375. Please be sure to include all pertinent information in your request. For detailed information, please visit the Scheduling Information page on this website. There is a PDF-fillable form there available for your use.

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How do I invite you to attend an event in Idaho?

It is always great to meet with Idahoans in my home state. If you wish to meet with me while I'm in Idaho or wish to invite me to an event in Idaho, please contact the nearest local office. Please be sure to include all pertinent information in your request. For detailed information, please visit the Scheduling Information page on this website.

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I would like a photograph of President Obama.

To receive a photograph of the President and/or First Lady, please make your request in writing to the address below and provide a complete return mailing address.

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

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Can you send birthday greetings to someone in Idaho?

Yes, I am happy to send birthday greetings to anyone in Idaho. If you have another special occasion (retirement, anniversary, special recognition), I am happy to assist on those as well. Please send the name of the individual, address and birthdate (or other pertinent date) via email to Dorothy Boger in my Washington, DC, office. Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

At the present time, the White House is not accepting any requests for the following greetings or correspondence:  birthday greetings to those who are 80 years and older, birth of a baby (sent to baby only), weddings (after the wedding), wedding anniversaries (50 years and over), condolences (sent to next of kin), graduation (high school, college, advanced degree), religious milestones, retirement, and Eagle/Girl Scout Gold awards. If that changes, this information will be updated.

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Can you send a congratulations letter or retirement recognition to an Idahoan?

Yes, it is always a pleasure to commend Idahoans for their efforts and recognition. Please send your name, address and the special occasion to Dorothy Boger in my Washington, DC office; you can do so via email or regular mail, although regular mail may be delayed. Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

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What is the best way to express my concerns about legislation before Congress?

I appreciate all comments from Idahoans and try to represent those views as best I can. You can contact my offices by phone, fax, e-mail, or you can do it the old-fashioned way and stop by. You can find the addresses and phone numbers to all my offices here. I have also included on this website some tips on how to communicate most effectively with elected leaders.

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How do I order a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol or an Idaho state flag?

My office is happy to assist with orders for U.S. flags. If you wish, you can request that the flag be flown over the U.S. Capitol. You can specify a special occasion or commemoration or simply request the flag be flown. To order a U.S. flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol, please fill out the forms on my Flag Requests page.

Unfortunately, only U.S. flags are available through my office. If you want to purchase an Idaho flag, the Idaho Governor's office generally maintains a list of companies that provide state flags. Please call the Governor's office at (208) 334-2100.

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What procedures need to be followed for a person to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S.?

The process is complex and differs from case to case.  In the section on this website called Help With Federal Agencies, there are answers to frequently-asked questions about immigration issue.  Please check to see if your question is answered there.  Other resources include the Citizenship and Immigration Service, which provides general information on its website. If you need assistance with a personal immigration issue, please contact my local office nearest to you. You will need to complete a privacy release form, which is available on this website.  Please note that the request must be made by the individual who needs the assistance, not a relative or family friend.

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Is postal mail delivery to your DC office still delayed?

Unfortunately, yes, and it is likely to remain so. The delays began in late 2001 when concerns were raised about hazardous biological agents being sent to congressional offices. As such, all mail sent to Capitol Hill addresses is now screened for harmful substances before it is delivered to Senate and House offices. That results in a delay of about a week. In addition, all packages sent through overnight delivery services like FedEx, UPS, USPS, Airborne, and others are delayed 1-2 weeks for screening as well.

Another note to remember: The screening process includes irradiation, which will melt tapes, CDs, videos, DVDs, and other items. It can also be damaging to photos and color prints, causing them to stick together or lose their definition. It can also make envelopes stick to letters and invitations.

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