1. Influencing Congress
Ch 7 sec 3

2. I. Influences on Lawmakers
Lawmakers’ views on decisions are seldom based on individual conscience.
Voters back home, lawmakers’ staff members, lawmakers’ own political parties, the president, and special-interest groups all influence lawmakers’ views.

3. Question
Why do members of Congress consider other factors and not just cast their votes according to their own views on proposed bills?

4. II. The Influence of Voters
Lawmakers are heavily influenced by the needs and opinions of their constituents.
Lawmakers stay informed of voters’ attitudes and needs by making frequent trips back home, by reading messages from home, by questionnaires, and by reports from their staff in their home district.

5. Question
What influence do voters back home have on lawmakers’ decisions on legislation?

6. III. Influence of Parties
Nearly all members of Congress belong to one of the two major political parties and generally support their own party’s stands on legislation.

7. III. Influence of Parties
House members support their parties more strongly than do Senate members, but the issues themselves also determine whether members follow their party leaders’ agenda.
Members of Congress usually support their party because party members usually share the same general political beliefs.

8. Question
What might happen when lawmakers do not vote with their own party on an important bill?

9. IV. Other Influences on Congress
Presidents work hard to persuade lawmakers to support laws they want passed and give or withhold political favors to secure lawmakers’ support.

10. IV. Other Influences on Congress
Interest groups and their lobbyists represent various interests, including labor and business groups, education and environmental organizations, and minority groups.

11. IV. Other Influences on Congress
Political action committees (PACs) are political fund-raising organizations that give their funds to support lawmakers who favor the PAC’s position.

12. Question
Do you think lobbyists are beneficial or detrimental to the lawmaking process in Congress?

13. In your notebooks
Create a concept web that shows the different influences on a Senator and Representative. Include details of each influence in the web.