TOM HARKIN'S E-MAIL POLICY:

Thank your for interest in my E-mail policy. In an effort to speed the response time between myself and my Iowa constituents, my office will respond to E-mail messages which have been generated from my website only. At this time, my replies will be sent by regular mail. Due to limited resources, I am able to respond only to Iowa constituents who leave their complete mailing address along with their message.

Although E-mail certainly increases the speed of correspondence, my commitment to quality and accuracy will not always facilitate the type of speedy reply to which users of the internet have become accustomed. My office currently receives between 1,000 and 5,000 letters, e-mails, phone calls and faxes a week. I consider each of these contacts an important source of information for me as I serve in the Senate. My staff and I make every effort to be sure those who contact me receive a complete and thorough response.

Each message or letter that is received in my office is entered into a mail tracking system. My staff then researches the issues presented in the correspondence and drafts a response for my approval. It may take from two to 30 days for a letter to complete this process, depending on the research required to respond, the total volume of contacts, and other factors. You should receive a response from my office within two weeks. If you have not received a response in three or four weeks, or it you have reason to believe that your message did not go through, please contact my office by phone. Please be prepared to re-submit your message if necessary. In an effort to reduce computer viruses which may be attached to messages, no message containing an attachment will be received. If you need to send me a document, please use either a fax or my postal address.

If you any questions regarding this policy, please contact my Washington, DC office at (202)224-3254.

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