If you email someone in Congress, and they don’t write you back, does it still count as a contact? In an abundance of caution (and hope that my notes will be requited), here is my open lobbying report for the shortest day of the year:

Contacted: Ron Weich, Senior Policy Expert, Reid’s Office When: December 21 Where: Email About Bills: S Res 21, hoping for a revival of it About topics: Online filing of Congressional Reports Relations: I am not an ex-staffer, neice, mother, sister, or other relation to Ron Weich, or any other Member of Congress. However, Ellen saw him at a meeting Monday, and he sent me an encouraging one line email the day before yesterday. (Is it a contact when they contact you? I suppose so.) Special Notes: I really hope he writes back.

Contacted: Ruchi Bhowmak, Senior Policy Expert, Obama’s Office When: December 21 Where: Email About Bills: S Res 21, hoping for a revival of it About topics: Online filing of Congressional Reports Relations: I am not an ex-staffer, neice, mother, sister, or other relation to Ruchi Bhowmak, or any other Member of Congress. I have never broken bread with Ruchi. However, when I talked to Ruchi on the phone last week she mentioned that Jim, the webmaster, mentioned that I saw him the other week. Special Notes: I tried to be upbeat, in the holiday spirit.