Unit 4: Legislation and Policy Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Introduction to Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers Notes: As we discussed in Unit 3, Congress members have multiple roles to fulfill. As we discussed in Unit 3, Congress members have multiple roles to fulfill. This means that they also have multiple people and groups that are constantly attempting to influence their decisions as they go about the work of influencing legislation. This means that they also have multiple people and groups that are constantly attempting to influence their decisions as they go about the work of influencing legislation.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Other Lawmakers and Staff Notes: Most lawmakers are in a constant internal conflict when it comes to lawmaking. Most lawmakers are in a constant internal conflict when it comes to lawmaking. One group that can influence member of Congress’ decisions are other lawmakers and their own staff members. One group that can influence member of Congress’ decisions are other lawmakers and their own staff members.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Other Lawmakers and Staff (cont’d.) Notes: Lawmakers from the same state may try to influence another low maker to vote a certain way to honor the wishes of their state. Lawmakers from the same state may try to influence another low maker to vote a certain way to honor the wishes of their state. Congressional staff may manipulate the information a lawmaker receives in an effort to sway their opinions on issues. Congressional staff may manipulate the information a lawmaker receives in an effort to sway their opinions on issues.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: VotersNotes: For the most part, voters expect lawmakers to put what is best for their state and/or district above what is best for the nation. For the most part, voters expect lawmakers to put what is best for their state and/or district above what is best for the nation. Because of this, we can track Congressional “voting behavior” to see that most members of Congress vote along the lines of their voters’ preferences on issues that affect the daily lives of those they represent. Because of this, we can track Congressional “voting behavior” to see that most members of Congress vote along the lines of their voters’ preferences on issues that affect the daily lives of those they represent.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Voters (cont’d.) Notes: Lawmakers must put a lot of thought into how they vote, even when their voters don’t know all the issues they are voting on—because during re- election, campaigns, special interest groups, or the opposing political party may bring up a lawmakers voting record if it could make them appear less favorable with the voters. Lawmakers must put a lot of thought into how they vote, even when their voters don’t know all the issues they are voting on—because during re- election, campaigns, special interest groups, or the opposing political party may bring up a lawmakers voting record if it could make them appear less favorable with the voters.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Political Parties Notes: Members of Congress tend to also vote along party lines– or the way their party wants them to vote. Members of Congress tend to also vote along party lines– or the way their party wants them to vote. – EX: House of Reps. this happens 70% of the time—not as much in the Senate. Party voting is stronger on some issues than on others. Party voting is stronger on some issues than on others. Issues where the parties differ greatly see more party-line voting. Issues where the parties differ greatly see more party-line voting. – EX: Size of government, the economy, social issues, etc.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Political Parties (cont’d.) Notes: Another reason for party voting might be because lawmakers may not have strong opinions on every issue –so they might adhere to the opinion of the party. Another reason for party voting might be because lawmakers may not have strong opinions on every issue –so they might adhere to the opinion of the party.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: The President Notes: There is an interesting relationship between the President and Congress. There is an interesting relationship between the President and Congress. The President pressures Congress to pass legislation that he and his party support. The President pressures Congress to pass legislation that he and his party support. The President may pressure lawmakers by offering to sign key legislation or threaten to veto legislation in response to how a lawmaker votes on key bills. The President may pressure lawmakers by offering to sign key legislation or threaten to veto legislation in response to how a lawmaker votes on key bills.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Lobbyists/Special Interest Groups Notes: Lobbyists are representatives of special interest groups. Their job is to influence lawmakers to pass legislation that will help their group—this is called lobbying. Lobbyists are representatives of special interest groups. Their job is to influence lawmakers to pass legislation that will help their group—this is called lobbying. Lobbyists represent all types of groups and use various methods of persuading lawmakers. Lobbyists represent all types of groups and use various methods of persuading lawmakers. – EX: visiting lawmakers, providing information to lawmakers, encourage citizens to write/call lawmakers, etc.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Lobbyists/Special Interest Groups (cont’d.) Notes: A variation of an interest group is a PAC or Political Action Group. A variation of an interest group is a PAC or Political Action Group. PACs are political fundraising organizations that represent corporations, labor unions, and other special interest groups. PACs are political fundraising organizations that represent corporations, labor unions, and other special interest groups. PACs will fund campaigns of lawmakers that support their cause. PACs will fund campaigns of lawmakers that support their cause.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: Lobbyists/Special Interest Groups (cont’d.) Notes: SuperPACs may raise unlimited funds, but, may not contribute to an individual politicians campaign, but rather their political party or perhaps an organization that the politician supports. SuperPACs may raise unlimited funds, but, may not contribute to an individual politicians campaign, but rather their political party or perhaps an organization that the politician supports.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: ConstituentsNotes: A law makers constituents carry a lot of sway as well. A law makers constituents carry a lot of sway as well. This is evident through lawmakers creating pork- barrel legislation, giving money to special projects in a representatives district/state to keep voters satisfied. This is evident through lawmakers creating pork- barrel legislation, giving money to special projects in a representatives district/state to keep voters satisfied.

Influencing the Decisions of Lawmakers: Main Idea: ConstituentsNotes: Lawmakers will also try to help constituents by helping local businesses get win and keep government contracts and grants. Lawmakers will also try to help constituents by helping local businesses get win and keep government contracts and grants. This helps the local economy and gives lawmakers favor with their constituents. This helps the local economy and gives lawmakers favor with their constituents.