Congress 7 - Representation of Constituents Flashcards
Example of House members voting a lot
In 2007 members of the House voted 1186 times
Example of Senators not voting a lot
In 2016 votes in the Senate fell to just 163. Very inactive Republican majority
Factors that influence the votes of members of Congress
- Views of Constituents
- Political party
- The administration
- Pressure groups
Example of Views of Constituents affecting Congressman
In 2009, several Democrats dropped their support for the Affordable Care Act after considering the views of their constituents
Example of Political Party affecting Congressman
Parties voted in line for the Federal Information Systems Safeguard Act (2016)
Republicans 237-2
Democrats 4-179
Example of the administration affecting Congressman
While Congress was considering Obamacare, Obama made multiple attempts to persuade members of Congress to support legislation
E.g. State of the Union Address
Example of Pressure Groups affecting Congressman
2012 - Obama was unsuccessful in passing legislation to limit gun control due to pressure from the NRA
Example of a far left Democrat Senator
Gillibrand
Example of furthest left Republican Senator
Collins
Example of furthers right Democrat Senator
Heitkamp
Example of far right Republican Senator
Roberts
Arguments that Congress is representative
More representative than ever for women
More representative than ever for minority groups
Evidence that Congress is more representative than ever for women
- In 1979, there were 16 Women in the house and 0 in the Senate
- In 2017, there are 84 in the House and 21 in the Senate
Evidence that Congress is more representative than ever for African Americans
- In 1979, there was 16 in House and 0 in Senate
- In 2017, 46 in House and 3 in Senate
Evidence that women are underrepresented in Congress
19% of Congress is female compared to 50% of population
Evidence that minorities are underrepresented in Congress
22% of Congress are minorities
Compared to 28% of population
Evidence that Congress is more representative than ever for Hispanic Americans
1979: 6 in House, 0 in Senate
2017: 34 in House, 4 in Senate
Where are minorities particularly underrepresented
The senate
Just 9/100
Example of current gerrymandered state
Texas’s 35th District
Bush v Vera
Supreme Court struck down on Texas’ 30th district - Gerrymandering on the basis of race
In the 155th Congress, the record number of women _____________
Quadrupled
Number of minorities in 155th Congress
102
Average age of Congress
Current Congress one of oldest in history
Average age of 59
How many congressman have been registered lobbyists
8
Who is the only female Republican in a senior position
Cathy Rodgers
Argument that women are well represented in Congress
No. of women is increasing
Argument that women are not well represented in Congress
- Few women reach senior positions
2. Particularly few female Republicans
What are the 2 models of representation
Trustee model
Delegate model
What is the trustee model
A representative who acts ‘on behalf of the people’ - trusted to make the their own choices
What is the delegate model
Where a representative basis the decisions solely on the wishes of their constituents
Ways to engage with constituents
‘Town hall’ meetings
Meeting individually with constituents
Making visits
Media
Ways the representatives fulfil their representative function
Voting on legislation Membership of standing committees Lobbying Helping constituents Pork-barrel politics
