Congress Examples

Question 1

Representation

Answer 1

• Swayed by PACs: Joe Manchin received $1.6 million from fossil fuel PACs, in 2022 he proposed an amendment which would have weakened the senates ability to weigh environmental impacts
• However, could be argued that he is representing his West Virginia constituents as the state’s coal industry is key

Question 2

Incumbency

Answer 2

2022 midterms: 100% of senators were re-elected and 94.5% of House members
2008 elections: 83.3% of senators and 94.3% of House members

Question 3

Partisanship in Legislation

Answer 3

• Inflation Reduction Act 2022: not a single Republican voted in favour; in the senate 50-50 split forced Harris to tie-break

Question 4

Descriptive Representation

Answer 4

2023:
- 75% of congress members are white
- 13% of House members are black in line with share of black Americans
- 28% of congress is female

Question 5

% of Bills that make it into Law

Answer 5

117th Congress (2021-2023) - 2%
106th Congress (1999 -2000) - 6%