1. Roles of Congress

2. Legislative Role
Principal lawmaking institution of American government

3. Investigative Role Oversight duties Probing misconduct and corruption
Probing background and qualifications of presidential appointees

4. Deliberative Role
Disagree, debate, deliberate, compromise

5. Balancing Role Rival power to the President
Involvement in domestic, budgetary and foreign policies

6. Appropriations Role
Only Congress can spend money
“Power of the purse”

7. Representative Role Accountable to the constituents “back home”
Representational view: act as a delegate (follow public opinion)
Attitudinal view: act as a trustee (follow own ideology)
Organizational view: follow party

8. Political Role Members of Congress are in political parties
Form coalitions to promote or defeat policies based on party preferences and issues

9. Campaigning Role
Members of Congress are always running for office and seeking
re-election (especially members of the House)

10. Mediating Role Resolving conflicts among special interests
Addressing needs and issues of minority groups, constituents, etc.

11. Amending Role
All amendments to the U.S. Constitution must begin in the U.S. Congress