Casework FAQ

Federal Casework Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions

As Montana’s Congressman, one of the most important jobs I have is to help my constituents when they are having problems with Federal agencies. Casework is handled differently than concerns about legislation being considered in the House of Representatives. Here are a few quick questions to help you determine if I can assist you in your case:

Are you from Montana?

Each Member of Congress has the honor and responsibility to serve his or her own constituents. I am prevented by ethics rules and Congressional courtesy from assisting individuals who do not reside in Montana. If you are not from Montana, you can find your representative online by visiting http://www.house.gov/ and entering your zip code in the “Find Your Representative” field.

Does your case involve a Federal agency?

As your Federal representative, I am happy to help you with Federal problems. If your case involves state, county, or local government, your public school district or other public agencies you will need to contact the appropriate elected representative from that entity or organization.

Federal Resources
State and Local Resources

Does the case involve you?

In order to protect the privacy of Montanans, I am required by law to obtain the written consent of any constituent that requests my action on their behalf. If the case you are contacting me about does not pertain to you, but you know of a Montanan who could benefit from my help, please don’t hesitate to contact me with an outline of the situation. I will need to contact the constituent directly in order to obtain permission to act on their behalf.

Is your situation a legal dispute?

Because I am a member of the Legislative Branch, I cannot become involved in court cases or legal issues. This restriction, which applies to both civil and criminal matters, is due to the Separation of Powers established by the Constitution.

What can you expect from my office?

Except for reasons of extreme hardship, it is very rare for a case to be expedited. I will work with you to assure a fair and thorough review of your case and to seek a timely response from the agency. I cannot assure a specific outcome to any case, but I can make inquiries on your behalf, get additional information or direct you to helpful resources or services.

Having read the above questions, do you need my help?

If you’ve read the questions above and think that your case is something I can help you with, please contact my office using email or by calling Billings toll-free at (888) 232-2626.

Still not sure if your problem is case work?

If you aren’t sure if your problem qualifies as federal case work, please contact my office and my staff will discuss your situation and decide on the best course of action for you. You can reach my office using email or by calling Billings toll-free at (888) 232-2626.