Congress in the Modern Era

Overview

• Members of Congress campaign to be re-elected every election cycle.
• Despite campaign promises, members often vote contrary to their public platforms.
• Voters tend to reelect individuals while disapproving of Congress as a whole.
• Influences include legislative process structure, political parties, and campaign contributions from special interests.

Congress's Fiscal Powers

• Article I of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress power to raise revenue and appropriate funds.
• Important committees: House Appropriations Committee, House Ways and Means Committee.
• Members influence fund allocation to benefit constituents and their industries.

Influence of Special Interest Groups

• Members are susceptible to special interest groups seeking favorable legislation.
• Lobbyists, often former Congress staffers, work to influence legislation.
• Members receive campaign support and financial contributions in exchange for favorable legislative action.

Campaign Finance and Party Influence

• High costs of winning elections; e.g., Mitch McConnell spent over $30 million in 2014.
• National political parties influence voting behavior through support and contributions.
• Party leadership sets legislative agenda and influences members' votes.

Legislative Process

• Members review bills with their staff before voting.
• Party leaders signal voting expectations, with party whips managing adherence.
• Leadership uses incentives and punishments to enforce compliance but lacks guaranteed loyalty enforcement.

Growth of Government and Congressional Staff

• Federal government and support staffs have grown to manage increased activities.
• Staff includes chief of staff, legislative director, legislative assistants, correspondents, and interns.
• Staffers aid members in legislative tasks and serve as liaisons to constituents.

Role of Legislative Staff

• Legislative staff manage policy areas and engage with industries.
• Press staffers handle media and public image.
• Correspondents manage constituent communication.
• Interns perform clerical tasks and act as initial contact for constituents.

Casework

• Caseworkers address constituent issues with federal agencies.
• They help ensure proper procedure is followed but can't change administrative decisions.

Challenges and Changes

• Congress's decision-making is influenced by re-election motives, special interests, and administrative state growth.
• There's an ongoing struggle to make Congress more deliberative and responsive.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Why do members of Congress often find it difficult to keep campaign promises?
2. How do special interest groups influence members of Congress?
3. How does the members' Capitol Hill staff facilitate the legislative work of Congress?
4. Why do congressional members use a number of interns?
5. Why is the Capitol Hill staff usually fairly young?