I'm not surprised at all at that. There is something really wrong when they duck for cover that quickly.
I'm not sure how quick it is. It's institutional; trying to minimize the amount of mail from other than their constituents. To me, however, that's a problem that goes with the office of Senate Majority Leader. That position IMHO implies access to everyone.
Also, when your representatives are socialists that really limits your communications even further.
Have you ever noticed that VERY FEW of our representative and senators have their e-mails listed anywhere? I get a publication that has all of the information on Congress, even down to the listing of each person's religion and VERY FEW have their e-mails listed. Makes one wonder, doesn't it?