Congressperson Roles

The political theorists David R. Mayhew, Gary W. Cox, and Matthew D. McCubbins argue on how the US Congress functions. They focus on the members of Congress and their actions. The basis of disagreement between the theorists lies in what Congress members find of importance. Mayhew argues that members of Congress, primarily concern themselves with reelection, as such, any action taken only benefits that. Cox and McCubbins’, however, formulate that Congress functions on the basis of majority party control and unity. These arguments present different perspectives, however, they do have agreements amongst them. Overall, Mayhew presents an argument that is believable and shows the truth of members of the US Congress.

Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that represents the American people. The United States Congress has many roles such as making laws, implementing national policy and viewing over the other two branches of government. These are a couple of obligations the Congress has. Although they are essential to our government, there are potential problems which includes corruption, inefficiencies and equal representation. Individuals are not generally happy with the time span engaged with passing a law as well as the halt Congress put on some issues.

James Madison’s Federalist 10 was written amid criticisms that a republican form of government had never been successful on a large scale. Madison’s argument was that a well-constructed union could control factions. He argued that in order to control factions from their causes, we would need to either give up liberty or free thought. Since we cannot infringe upon these two natural rights, we must move on to controlling the effects. A republic, Madison argues, would be able to do this because the people choose the representatives, and they choose representatives who they feel best represent their opinions. The representatives would be the voices of their constituents, leaving them with the responsibility of making decisions for the public good.

The American government is associated as being one of the best and most efficient governments in the world. The American government was made by the citizens for the citizens of the United States. That’s why people think that the American government works so well. There are other governments on the other hand, that suppress their citizens. Governments where the citizens have no say in their government and can only let the government do what they want. One of these governments is the North Korean government. These two governments may look like complete opposites, but they do share some similarities between them.

1. They are important source of information. A member who is part of congress has to evolve themselves with many policy areas. But a lobbyists can confine themselves to one area and can by providing specialized expertise. If the information is powerful, then the lobbyist can be an allies.

Congressional term limits have been what restricted the amount of time that anyone can work in office whether it be to a representative, senator, or even the president. People have debated over keeping or losing the term limits, since each come with their own benefits and faults at the same time. In the argument for term limits, some may argue that they are necessary because, “Congress will be more responsible toward their constituents because they will soon be constituents themselves” (Weeks). The validity in this statement proves to be one of the strongest arguments because the creation of laws is mean to serve all people, and if the people in office had complete immunity, it would serve unfair and unjust to the rest of society. For this reason, it always will make those in office consider how impactful and

Individual rights are involved because members of congress that have been their positions for many years may have prejudices and grudges against certain people, groups and parties, and this may affect their decision during the passing of laws or the approval of a constitutional amendment, therefore, it is for the benefit of peoples right in general, to have members of congress that are not allowed to serve indefinitely, otherwise not only will ideas stagnate, but prejudices that may infringe upon peoples equality when it comes to the passing of laws will remain in congress for extended periods of time and be able to cause greater negative

The Senate and House of Representatives comprise the two chambers of the United States Congress. While both houses are representative bodies and jointly oversee the executive branch, both must approve all bills before the president, but both chambers have different roles according to the Constitution.

The Legislative branch is headed by Congress. This includes the Senate and the House of Representatives. Their main duty it so compose the laws. The constitution gives congress permission to declare war and enact legislation. It also gives them permission to accept or reject Presidential appointments. The House of Representatives separated between 50 different states and has 435 elected members. There are 6 members that do not vote. The presiding officer of the Chamber is third in line in the succession of the presidency. Members must be 25 years of age, elected every 2 years, a resident of the state, and a U.S. citizen for at least seven years. The house has many jobs assigned to it. These powers include impeaching federal officers, initiating revenues bills, and electing the president in case of a electoral college tie. The Senate is made up of 100 Senators. There are 2 in each state. Senators used to be chosen by legislatures, not by the popular vote. They have been elected to

The article is written by Richard Fenno in 1978, summarizing the dilemma of congressmen in the contemporary time. The author was specifically discussing about members of the House, who always seek for reelection during his legislative career, as stated in the initial part of the paper. Fenno went on to propose the conflict in incumbent congressmen 's career: more attention for the Washington career leads to less attention for the congressmen 's home state. The Washington career required commitment to build up support within the House. However, focusing on Washington rendered the congressman homeless, or losing his home 's supportive forces. Thus, there were two solutions. Firstly, the congressman can change the expectations of his

There are a few methods or committees that play a part in the lawmaking process; a senate filibuster, House Rules Committee, the Conference Committee, oversight on federal bureaucracy, and casework. Each of these play an integral role in the lawmaking process for a variety of reasons. A senate filibuster allows a senator to prevent or delay action on a bill or other business. The House Rules Committee schedules or manages the flow of legislation, making it easier or more difficult to pass a bill, as well as make the legislative process more efficient. Also, the Conference Committee settles differences in the House and Senate versions of a bill. Additionally, Congress can exercise oversight on a federal bureau by means of funding, and lastly, casework can affect a member 's attention to legislation based on the ideologies of his or her constituents, as well as how time consuming it is.

Similar to Senator Jackie Speier, in the Senate, and Nancy Pelosi, in the House of Representatives, both are skilled in the making of laws. When these laws are created, in the House of Representatives or the Senate, they will move on to the executive branch, or President, like Clinton, who will either affirm or deny the law. Finally the bill goes Supreme Court, consisting of justices like Sonia Sotomayor, to evaluate the law.

They work hard to pass laws and bills. Many of these laws and bills help to better the lives of the people, but most of these laws and bills are likely unknown to the people. Congress also helps with things like roads, highways, and transportation. Recently, DOT, the Department of Transportation, signed an agreement for a light-rail line to be built in Maryland. It will improve transportation between traffic-congested areas. Hamilton also talks about many members of congress who have done notable things, for example, ‘“Representative Edith Green of Oregon, often called the “mother of higher education,” whose Higher Education Act of 1965 created the federal student aid program, which has helped millions of undergraduates over the years”’ (Hamilton, 40). He also talks about, “Representatives Hale Boggs of Louisiana and George Fallon of Maryland, who shaped the 1956 Federal Interstate Highway Act, which has had an enormous impact on almost every facet of American life” (Hamilton, 40). Many people complain of a “do-nothing” Congress, yet many acts, laws, and bills go unnoticed by

The framers of the constitution regarded Congress as the preeminent branch of the federal government and granted Congress the power to make laws. The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature, which consist of the House and Senate. Congress was created in a way to satisfy both large and and small states through a debate to be known as the Great Compromise. The compromise stated that each state would have two Senators, in one chamber(Senate), and a number of Representatives propertaint to the state's population in the second chamber(House of Representatives).

To begin, the Senate and the House of Representatives, while having some similarities, also contain many differences. One way that they are similar is that, for both of them, their main responsibility is to create and pass laws for the United States of America. “Each house of Congress has the power: to elect