Influences on Congress

1. Influences on Congress By Mr. Baker

2. Influences of Lawmakers on Congress • Personality • Religious beliefs • Some are more willing to take risks • Their staff • They can control the information on which the lawmakers base their decisions

3. Influences of Lawmakers on Congress • How controversial or how close the issue hits home (state/district) • If it has little effect on their home state or district, most lawmakers rely on their own beliefs • If it has more effect on their home state or district, then they listen to the voters and advice of other lawmakers

4. Influence of Voters on Congress • Dilemma for lawmakers - Should the lawmakers follow the state or districts’ wants or national wants? • The lawmakers need to listen to the people back home, especially if they are coming up for reelection • Voters influence elections by reflecting on the following questions: • Did the representative pay attention to the voters back home? • How did he/she vote on the issue?

5. Influence of Voters on Congress • Visits to the district/state – • Learn of voters’ concerns • Messages from home – • Messages going from the home state/district to the representative are listened to • Surveys and polls – • Lawmakers will listen to phone and email opinion polls/surveys • Key supporters – • Lawmakers must support the positions of the people who donate to and help run their campaign

6. Influence of Parties on Congress • Party’s platform – the lawmaker should listen to their party’s set of beliefs • Why should you vote with your party? • They raise money for campaigns so you can get elected • Some lawmakers don’t have a strong opinion on an issue, so they vote with the party • They can usually expect their party’s support if they create a bill

7. Other Influences on Congress • President • The President can send messages to lawmakers and make televised speeches that have an influence on representatives in Congress • Some lawmakers may want to maintain a close relationship with the President • This might help them keep office if the president is popular

8. Other Influences on Congress • Mass Media • Internet, radio, mailings, flyers, television, etc. have an effect on representatives • Representatives must look, act, and sound good to the public or else they could lose votes

9. Other Influences on Congress • Lobbyists and Interest Groups • Representatives of interest groups are called lobbyists • An interest group is an organization that represents the interests of a particular group • Businesses (BBB – Better Business Bureau) • Minority groups (NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) • Educational groups (Teachers union) • Environmental groups (PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) • Lawyers (National Bar Association???) • Doctors (AMA – American Medical Association)

10. Other Influences on Congress • PAC’s (Political Action Committees) • Political fund-raising part of an interest group • They use their funds to support lawmakers who favor the PAC’s positions on an issue

11. Why are former members of Congress often hired as lobbyists? • They have inside knowledge of the lawmaking process

12. Which of these is the most direct way for a group of teenagers to influence the outcome of a bill that would raise the minimum driving age? • Testifying at a legislative hearing • Launching a voter registration drive • Writing an ambassador • Appealing to a high court