Influences on Congress By Mr Baker Influences of

Influences on Congress By Mr. Baker

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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