1. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 1 Section 1: Role of Congress Essential Question: In your opinion, which of the four influences on congressional actions is the strongest, What is the purpose of congressional investigations, explain why it’s important for members of Congress to serve their constituents?

2. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 2 Section 1: Role of Congress Influences on the voting decisions of members of Congress: Personal Beliefs- Members of Congress have moral compasses (just like us). These beliefs usually reflect the personal opinion of what is best for their district, state, and nation. Occasionally, these beliefs will clash with those of a members constituents, or political party.

3. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 3 Section 1: Role of Congress Influences on the voting decisions of members of Congress: Constituent Interests- Constituents are the citizens from a Congress members district (rep.) or state (sen.) Since they are the people who directly voted for the Congressperson, their needs and wants should be carefully considered

4. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 4 Section 1: Role of Congress Influences on the voting decisions of members of Congress: Interest Groups- People who band together to achieve shared political goals. Although these are generally disliked by the public, they are often more effective at maintaining the attention of congress. Why?- They can form political action committee’s (PAC) that can donate money to the campaign’s of members of Congress that help them run for office and get elected. The problem is quid pro quo

5. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 5 Section 1: Role of Congress Influences on the voting decisions of members of Congress: This means that it is expected that since the interest group directly helped the member of congress get elected, they expect their political needs and wants to be addressed first.

6. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 6 Section 1: Role of Congress Influences on the voting decisions of members of Congress: Political Party Loyalty- Since many voting citizens do not feel that they truly know a congressional candidate (in terms of how they will act); they often vote according to the political party that they identify with. Additionally, these political parties often promote certain candidates for office. Since the PP is seen as helping a candidate gain election, the candidate is expected to support the PP’s views once in congress.

7. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 7 Section 1: Role of Congress Purpose of congressional investigations: to examine the performance and operations of government agencies to look into scandals and abuses in federal agencies TO LOOK GOOD TO THE PUBLIC

8. A MERICAN GOVERNMENT HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON Role and Power of Congress 8 Section 1: Role of Congress Reasons members of Congress should serve their constituents: to detect changes in constituents’ attitudes or problems with federal programs to represent their constituents’ interests These are the individuals that voted for the member of congress based on the candidates promise to serve their needs.