Congress is something that I never really thought much about in the past. To me, it was just a building filled with politicians who argued and made laws. I thought it was like the Schoolhouse Rock video, someone comes up with an idea, tells their legislator, the idea becomes a bill, goes through Congress a few times, and at the end of the long path the bill eventually becomes a law. I didn’t think Congress was the nicest place on earth, but I thought it was filled with fair people who only want the best for the people they represent. But, after reading Inside the Horror Show That is Congress, I’ve realized that Congress isn’t as fair as I thought. I was able to conclude that Congress only has the illusion of being a democracy and both Congress …show more content…
They are supposed to represent their people and fight for what they want. But, congressmen are really fighting for themselves. They scare and threaten each other to vote a certain way or do something. During a hearing on the Patriot Act James Sensenbrenner’s purpose for showing up as a witness was to “bare his fangs in the direction of anyone or anything who would threaten his offspring[Patriot Act].” And while Sanders’ amendment was facing the Rules Committee “House leaders were openly threatening their fellow members about the upcoming vote.” Jim Kolbe even said that they would “twist their arms until they break.” That’s not even the end of the cruelty in Congress, you can get your committee positions and influence taken away from you, be pressured or even forced by others to vote a certain way, and so much more. For example Jeff Flake was someone who full heartedly agreed with Bernie Sander’s view on the Patriot Act and supported his amendment. But, all of a sudden after a few weeks he had proposed his own amendment that targets the same topic Sander’s amendment targeted, but was more in favor with the Republicans.“Flake clearly had made a deal with the House leadership.” Congressmen do things to keep themselves safe, to keep their powerful positions in committees and the influence they have over others, whether or not it’s something the people they represent …show more content…
According to McGovern “they [the Rules Committee] can completely rewrite bills then they take it to the foor an hour later. Nobody knows what’s in those bills.” Although there is supposed to be a three day wait period before the Rules Committee sends the bill onto the floor for a vote so members of Congress can read the new bill, it is usually waived by the Rules Committee and Congress has to blindly vote on bills they know nothing about. There are also many situations where bills and amendments easily pass a vote in the House because everyone is already assured that it will be “kill[ed] down the line.” This way they can also “go back home and say they fought for this or that” according to Sanders. Congressmen can make it seem as if they’re doing something their people approve of, but in reality they aren’t doing
Congress is bought out by big companies and people who want to bend the laws.
The inter workings of Congress have been studied extensively by Richard Fenno and David R. Mayhew. Mayhew’s study of Congress took place in Washington, while Richard Fenno conducted his research by following politicians within their congressional district. Mayhew attributes three primary goals to congressmen- getting reelected, achieving influence within Congress and making “good Policy”. Fenno also attributes three basic goals, having influence inside the House than other congressmen. Second, helping their constituents and thereby insuring their reelection, and lastly helping make good policy. The purpose of this paper is to research a member of Congress and to make a direct connection between his activity in Washington and his home district. The paper will answer whether the congressmen is a delegate or trustee. Are the actions a pursuit for reelection? Are the committee assignments a path for movement within the House or outside? What legislation has he/she sponsored or co-sponsored and does it directly reflect his/her districts political view. And finally, do major industries and interest groups within his/she district affect the way he/she votes.
In the December 2015 NPR article, “ 8 Things Congress Actually Did Last Year,” author Alisa Chang explains the actions of the Republicans who were incharge of Congress and avoid self-made crisis, such as government shutdowns, and create more accomplishments. Surprisingly,Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner were able to keep their promise on avoiding shutdowns this year. Congress has been doing a good job so far.
Because of the inherent tension in Congress between the need for strong leadership at the top and the individual congressional member's need to act according to local concerns, power in the Congress is widely dispersed.
Congress plays an important role in ruling the United States. Congress job is to represent the citizens of the U.S. by sharing the power with the current president of the United States of America and Supreme Court. Congress is one of the three branches of the United States. One of the main Congress jobs is to make law, basically, America without the Congress is pretty much without no laws. The Congress today is suffering from partisanship, parties are not working together as one hand causing it to fail its job. The Republicans are now controlling the Senate ( both houses ) when they earned it in 2014 elections making the majority Republican in Congress. Some people believe that the Congress is a broken branch and how it is failing America and we need to get it back on track. While the other believe that the Congress is fine and doing it job. I believe that the Congress is a broken branch since the United States of American government has a lot of partisanship.
The process of passing laws through Congress is long and arduous. Many assume that easing the process would allow the less powerful and striving interests to press for sweeping policy changes. From a personal perspective,
In the world of politics, the powers of the Legislative branch are crucial in the system of checks and balances in our government. According to the U.S. Constitution, the Legislative branch or better known as Congress, is responsible for making laws. Though trusted with this power, Congress does not effectively execute this action due to their inability to work together and make decisions on bills. Due to this indecisiveness, Congress is constantly being slammed in the media and is beginning to be referred to as the immature branch of government. Their indecisiveness is also dissatisfying American citizens making many citizens hold them in contempt because of them not doing their job.
Is our congress bad? Many political leaders have come and gone, they all have different ideology and good interest of this country at heart. Congress is a political system which is mandate to maintain and protect the fundamental freedom and the right of the people. The political candidates in congress are often characterized by disagreeing parties on general policies beliefs and political affiliations. Due to some of this policies beliefs, congress appears at loggerheads with one another and public confidence in the ability of congress to solve important issues has waned because of policy and ideology, election victory, and
Congress currently has the lowest approval rating they have ever had, however, the incumbent reelection rates are over 90%. This points to a culture where cooperation and compromise are no longer the prime objective. People expect their congressman to force their issue and not compromise on issues that may be contrary to their beliefs. According to America’s
“Congress” was established in response to the weakness of the Government that the “Articles of the Confederation” had exposed and also as a compromise between the larger and smaller states. The representatives of the larger States wanted to lord it over the smaller states but “The Framers of the Constitution wanted to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few”. (K Janda, Berry, Goldman, Shildkraut, Hula pg. 268) So, in an effort to please everyone the great compromise was made which was an agreement with the delegates to establish two chambers in Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate would have two senators from each state and the House of Representatives would have representatives from each state based on the population in the state. This decision settled the argument that had previously caused problems between the states and it was agreed upon by everyone. However, Congress did not continue to be the solution that it was supposed to be and very often there was strife between the two parties which has continued to this day with the Democrats and the Republicans.
Congress is the branch of our national government that makes the laws, and is divided into the house of representatives and the senate. As you can imagine, 535 individuals with different views can cause some uprising when trying to make a decision. With this being said, decisions don’t get made easily. However, contrary to popular belief progress is being made, 53 bills have been passed in Trumps’ six months of presidency.
Congressmen can change their entire stance on an issue, even though know one is paying attention, just because of the fact there is a chance at some point it could help them win reelection. Colleagues and the president also of course influence congressional decision-making, but the original intent and practice is for the people, constituents, to have the most direct (and indirect) accountability for Congress by controlling the voting. While this sounds good in theory, there is an underlying basis for why congressional accountability is unsuccessful. Running a campaign is no small task and takes a lot of capital. To make a credible challenge to an incumbent in the house, it is estimated 1-2 million dollars is needed (Bianco and Canon 2015, 405) and the average U.S. senate race cost in 2014 was 2.7 million dollars (Miller, 10/1/2015). Congressmen always have to be in campaign mode and because it is so monetarily dependent, the need for members to seek out or accept financial help from sources such as parties and PACs becomes a prevailing factor of congressional decision making (Bianco and Canon 2015, 405 and Miller, 10/27/2015). This element, money, creates a new audience for Congressmen to be attentive to contradictory to the original intent and thus clouding the accountability of Congress.
Congress. A word that comes with it, feelings of anger, hope and, frustration to most people. The United States Congress was created to represent and govern the citizens of the United States of America. In doing so it has done a remarkable job. The past 200 years of this country proves this. In recent years though, Congress has gained the reputation of being indifferent in creating and passing laws. Many factors come in to effect in supporting this claim. Republican and democratic congressman are constantly fighting over laws and proposals. Each wanting to be loyal to their own party without compromise. There 's also the constant beating of elections (Every 2 years in The House of Representatives, 6
We, as American citizens, get the opportunity to choose who is a part of Congress, so do not reelect the person that lied and failed to uphold their promises. The perception that many people have towards the Congress members only caring about themselves also influences a number of people less
Congress has the most important role in American government. It is the main voice for the people. Congress members take the criticism and everyone's request to try to better themselves and the community. Members serve each and everyone of their constituents, the people that elected them become their districts. It is the member's duty to gratify their constituents if they want to stay in office, and every issue must be considered from the perspective of those constituents. These representatives do a lot more than just pass laws in a capital. Representatives help constituents in a number of ways. They can help by negotiating the complicated process of applying for a passport. They can help act as an advocate to help the people get any types of