Legislative BranchLegislative Branch

Ch 5, 6, 7Ch 5, 6, 7

GPSGPS

SSCG9 The student will explain the SSCG9 The student will explain the differences between the House of differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and organization, leadership, and representation in each house.representation in each house.

GPSGPS

SSCG10 The student will describe the SSCG10 The student will describe the legislative process including the roles legislative process including the roles played by committees and leadership.played by committees and leadership.

1.1. Explain the steps in the legislative process.Explain the steps in the legislative process.

2.2. Explain the function of various leadership Explain the function of various leadership positions within the legislature.positions within the legislature.

GPSGPS

SSCG11 The student will describe the SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups in the special interest groups in the legislative process.legislative process.

1.1. Explain the function of lobbyists.Explain the function of lobbyists.2.2. Describe the laws and rules that govern Describe the laws and rules that govern

lobbyists.lobbyists.3.3. Explain the function of special interest Explain the function of special interest

groups.groups.

Congress of the United StatesCongress of the United States House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

435 Representatives435 Representatives Based on State Based on State

PopulationPopulation Two year termsTwo year terms

Elected every two yearsElected every two years At least 25 years oldAt least 25 years old US resident at least 7 US resident at least 7

yearsyears Resident of the state Resident of the state

where electedwhere elected

SenateSenate 100 Senators100 Senators

Two from each StateTwo from each State Six year termsSix year terms

1/3 Elected every two 1/3 Elected every two yearsyears

At least 30 years oldAt least 30 years old US resident at least 9 US resident at least 9

yearsyears Resident of the state Resident of the state

where electedwhere elected

Membership in the HouseMembership in the HouseMembers must be at least 25 years old, Members must be at least 25 years old,

citizens for at least 7 years, and residents citizens for at least 7 years, and residents of the states they represent. of the states they represent.

Members serve for two-year terms. Members serve for two-year terms. There are 435 members of the House of There are 435 members of the House of

Representatives.Representatives.The number of representatives from each The number of representatives from each

state is determined by populationstate is determined by population

House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives Special Powers of the House of Special Powers of the House of

RepresentativesRepresentatives All money (appropriations) bills start hereAll money (appropriations) bills start here Select the President if no candidate receives Select the President if no candidate receives

a plurality (majority) in the Electoral Collegea plurality (majority) in the Electoral College Write the article of impeachment against high Write the article of impeachment against high

ranking officialsranking officials The House is considered the “voice of the The House is considered the “voice of the

people.”people.”

ApportionmentApportionment

The seats in the House are divided The seats in the House are divided amongst the population. amongst the population.

Population is determined by a Population is determined by a censuscensus, or , or official population count taken every 10 official population count taken every 10 years.years.

After each census, congress uses the After each census, congress uses the new information to new information to apportionapportion, or , or distribute the seats. This is called distribute the seats. This is called redistrictingredistricting..

ApportionmentApportionment

Each congressman is to represent a roughly Each congressman is to represent a roughly equal number of people. This is the idea of equal number of people. This is the idea of ““one person, one voteone person, one vote.” .”

Sometimes state politicians draw district lines Sometimes state politicians draw district lines for political reasons. for political reasons.

GerrymanderingGerrymandering is the practice of establishing is the practice of establishing district lines that favor one political party over district lines that favor one political party over the other. Named for Massachusetts governor the other. Named for Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry in 1811. Severs cases are Elbridge Gerry in 1811. Severs cases are unconstitutional.unconstitutional.

Gain four Gain two Gain one Lose one Lose two

Texas Florida

ArizonaGeorgiaNevada

South CarolinaUtah

Washington

IllinoisIowa

LouisianaMassachusetts

MichiganMissouri

New JerseyPennsylvania

New YorkOhio

Today, each House member represents about Today, each House member represents about

709,760 people.709,760 people.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

When the population increases, should When the population increases, should Congress add more members to the Congress add more members to the House? Why or why not?House? Why or why not?

The size of the House is limited for more The size of the House is limited for more efficient government.efficient government.

Georgia’s 2000 House DistrictsGeorgia’s 2000 House Districts

Our RepresentativeOur Representative

John Barrow is the John Barrow is the US House US House Representative for Representative for Georgia’s 12Georgia’s 12thth Congressional district. Congressional district. He is a 4 He is a 4thth term term Democrat from Democrat from Augusta.Augusta.

Membership in the SenateMembership in the Senate

Senators must be at least 30 years old, Senators must be at least 30 years old, citizens for at least 9 years, and residents citizens for at least 9 years, and residents of the states they represent. of the states they represent.

Senators serve for 6-year terms; one-third Senators serve for 6-year terms; one-third are elected every two years. are elected every two years.

Each state elects two senators. Each state elects two senators.

SenateSenate

Special PowersSpecial Powers Approves all treatiesApproves all treaties Approves all appointmentsApproves all appointments Chooses the Vice President if no one Chooses the Vice President if no one

receives a plurality in the Electoral Collegereceives a plurality in the Electoral College Acts as the jury in all trials of impeachmentActs as the jury in all trials of impeachment

Our SenatorsOur Senators

Georgia’s Senior Georgia’s Senior Senator is Saxby Senator is Saxby Chamblis. Chamblis.

He is a Republican in He is a Republican in his second termhis second term

Our SenatorsOur Senators

Georgia’s Junior Georgia’s Junior Senator is Johnny Senator is Johnny Isakson. He is a Isakson. He is a Republican. He is in Republican. He is in his 2his 2ndnd term. term.

CongressCongress Both houses:Both houses: Must keep a Journal called Must keep a Journal called The The

Congressional RecordCongressional Record Must hold sessions at the same time:Must hold sessions at the same time:

Sessions begin January 3Sessions begin January 3rdrd each year. each year. There are two sessions per term.There are two sessions per term.

Must have a quorum to do business:Must have a quorum to do business: 51% of members present on the floor51% of members present on the floor

Duties of CongressDuties of Congress

The roles of Congress are:The roles of Congress are:1.1. Uphold the ConstitutionUphold the Constitution

2.2. Serve as committee members Serve as committee members

3.3. Represent and serve their constituentsRepresent and serve their constituents

4.4. Serve as politiciansServe as politicians

5.5. Most importantly – Legislators (Make Laws)Most importantly – Legislators (Make Laws)

Congressional PrivilegesCongressional Privileges Franking Privilege: postage for official mailFranking Privilege: postage for official mail Medical clinic and gymnasiumMedical clinic and gymnasium Allowances to pay for office staff and assistantsAllowances to pay for office staff and assistants Income deductions to help maintain two Income deductions to help maintain two

residencesresidences Parking at CapitalParking at Capital Retirement pensions available after 5 years of Retirement pensions available after 5 years of

serviceservice Salary $174,000 per year for non-leadership Salary $174,000 per year for non-leadership

positionspositions 2727thth Amendment prohibits a sitting Congress Amendment prohibits a sitting Congress

from giving itself a pay raisefrom giving itself a pay raise

Protections and ImmunitiesProtections and Immunities

Free from arrest in all cases except: 1. treason

2. felony

3. breach of peace

when they are attending Congress or on their way to or from Congress.

Cannot be sued for anything they say on the House or Senate floor.

PunishmentsPunishments

Congress punishes its own membersCongress punishes its own membersCensureCensure is a vote of formal reprimand is a vote of formal reprimandExpulsionExpulsion, or removal from office, is for , or removal from office, is for

serious crimes and requires 2/3 voteserious crimes and requires 2/3 vote

Congressional VocabularyCongressional Vocabulary

IncumbentIncumbent – candidate who already holds the – candidate who already holds the office.office.

ConstituentsConstituents – people who live in a – people who live in a congressman’s district that they represent.congressman’s district that they represent.

QuorumQuorum – minimal number who must be present – minimal number who must be present for official business to take place.for official business to take place.

FilibusterFilibuster – to stall the legislative process and – to stall the legislative process and prevent a vote.prevent a vote.

ClotureCloture – process that allows each senator to – process that allows each senator to speak only for one hour on a bill under debate.speak only for one hour on a bill under debate.

Congressional LeadershipCongressional Leadership The speaker of the House The speaker of the House

is the presiding officer of is the presiding officer of the House of the House of Representatives, and is a Representatives, and is a member of the majority member of the majority party.party.

The Speaker of the The Speaker of the House follows the Vice House follows the Vice President in the line of President in the line of succession to the succession to the presidency.presidency.

Current Speaker: John Current Speaker: John BoehnerBoehner

Congressional Congressional LeadershipLeadership

The president of the Senate is The president of the Senate is the presiding officer of the the presiding officer of the Senate. This is a position Senate. This is a position assigned to the Vice President. assigned to the Vice President. He can He can only vote to break a only vote to break a tietie. When the President of the . When the President of the Senate is absent the President Senate is absent the President Pro Tempore serves in his Pro Tempore serves in his place. place.

Current President of the Current President of the Senate: V.P. Joe Biden Senate: V.P. Joe Biden

Current President Pro Current President Pro Tempore: Daniel InouyeTempore: Daniel Inouye

Congressional LeadershipCongressional Leadership

Floor Leaders are picked to carry out party Floor Leaders are picked to carry out party decisions and steer legislation to meet party decisions and steer legislation to meet party goals.goals.

There are two floor leaders:There are two floor leaders: House Majority Leader, Eric CantorHouse Majority Leader, Eric Cantor House Minority Leader, Nancy PelosiHouse Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi

Senate LeadershipSenate Leadership

 

                      

      

President of the SenateJoseph R. Biden, Jr.U.S. Vice President

                            

resident Pro TemporeDaniel K. InouyeDemocrat, Hawaii

                      

      

Majority LeaderHarry ReidDemocrat, Nevada

                             

Assistant Majority Leader(Democratic Whip)Richard DurbinDemocrat, Illinois

                      

      

Minority Leader Mitch McConnellRepublican, Kentucky

                            

Assistant Minority Leader(Republican Whip)Jon KylRepublican, Arizona

Congressional LeadershipCongressional Leadership

A A whipwhip is the assistant to the floor leader. is the assistant to the floor leader. They are responsible for monitoring and They are responsible for monitoring and marshalling votes.marshalling votes.

The party The party caucuscaucus is a meeting of party is a meeting of party leaders and/or members who conduct leaders and/or members who conduct party business. It deals with matters of party business. It deals with matters of party organization, selection of party party organization, selection of party leaders, and questions of committee leaders, and questions of committee membership.membership.

CommitteesCommittees

A A standing committeestanding committee is a permanent is a permanent committee. Standing committees deal with committee. Standing committees deal with bills with a particular policy matter such as bills with a particular policy matter such as federal funding (appropriations) or foreign federal funding (appropriations) or foreign relations. relations.

A A select committeeselect committee is a special group set is a special group set up for a specific purpose and most often up for a specific purpose and most often temporary.temporary.

CommitteesCommittees

A A conference committeeconference committee is a temporary, joint is a temporary, joint body (made of both houses) created to iron out body (made of both houses) created to iron out the differences in a bill. the differences in a bill.

Committee chairmen are chosen by the majority Committee chairmen are chosen by the majority party. He gets to direct the work of the party. He gets to direct the work of the committee.committee.

Seniority ruleSeniority rule is an unwritten custom, which is an unwritten custom, which provides that the most important posts, in both provides that the most important posts, in both formal and the party organization in each formal and the party organization in each chamber will be held by its ranking memberschamber will be held by its ranking members

Legislative Powers of CongressLegislative Powers of Congress The Constitution gives Congress its expressed The Constitution gives Congress its expressed

powers. The “necessary and proper clause” powers. The “necessary and proper clause” gives Congress implied powers. Known as the gives Congress implied powers. Known as the elastic clauseelastic clause it stretches the power of Congress it stretches the power of Congress

There are different interpretation as to what There are different interpretation as to what “necessary and proper” means. “necessary and proper” means.

Strict ConstructionistsStrict Constructionists believe that the believe that the government should not do any more than the government should not do any more than the Constitution specifically says it can do. Constitution specifically says it can do.

Loose ConstructionistsLoose Constructionists believe that the federal believe that the federal government has the power to expand its government has the power to expand its authority for the good of the nation as a whole.authority for the good of the nation as a whole.

Powers of CongressPowers of Congress

Powers of CongressPowers of Congress Raise and collect taxesRaise and collect taxes Borrow moneyBorrow money Regulate commerceRegulate commerce Set laws for Set laws for

Naturalization and Naturalization and BankruptcyBankruptcy

Coin MoneyCoin Money Punish counterfeitingPunish counterfeiting Post officePost office Copyrights and patentsCopyrights and patents Set up courtsSet up courts

Declare warDeclare war Establish the military and Establish the military and

National guardNational guard Make rules and allot Make rules and allot

funds for the military and funds for the military and National guardNational guard

Punish piratesPunish pirates Run Washington D.C. Run Washington D.C.

and all federal propertyand all federal property Elastic clause- implied Elastic clause- implied

powerpower

Powers denied CongressPowers denied Congress Congress could not make laws Congress could not make laws

concerning slave trade until 1808concerning slave trade until 1808 Cannot suspend the writ of Habeas Cannot suspend the writ of Habeas

Corpus- must show cause for holding a Corpus- must show cause for holding a suspect suspect exceptexcept in wartime in wartime

No ex post facto law- cannot punish a No ex post facto law- cannot punish a person for an act committed before there person for an act committed before there was a law against it.was a law against it.

Powers denied CongressPowers denied Congress No direct tax was originally allowed in the No direct tax was originally allowed in the

Constitution- the 16Constitution- the 16thth amendment allows amendment allows income taxincome tax

No tax on exportsNo tax on exports All states must be treated the sameAll states must be treated the same Congress must approve all expenditures Congress must approve all expenditures

of the President through lawsof the President through laws No titles of nobilityNo titles of nobility

Powers denied the StatesPowers denied the States Cannot coin moneyCannot coin money Cannot have a state militia, troops, or navyCannot have a state militia, troops, or navy Cannot make treatiesCannot make treaties No ex post facto lawNo ex post facto law Cannot suspend the Writ of Habeas CorpusCannot suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus No import or export taxNo import or export tax No titles of nobilityNo titles of nobility Cannot pass any law that the Federal Cannot pass any law that the Federal

government is not allowed to passgovernment is not allowed to pass

Powers of CongressPowers of Congress

1. Taxing and spending1. Taxing and spending ALL revenue bills must start in the H.O.R ALL revenue bills must start in the H.O.R

Appropriations bills-Appropriations bills- laws to authorize spending laws to authorize spending money. money.

2. Other Money Powers2. Other Money Powers Borrow moneyBorrow money Sell government bonds and securitiesSell government bonds and securities Coin money and regulate its valueCoin money and regulate its value Bankruptcy lawsBankruptcy laws

Powers of Congress Powers of Congress (cont.)(cont.)

3. Commerce Powers:3. Commerce Powers:

Regulate foreign trade and interstate Regulate foreign trade and interstate commercecommerceThe case of The case of Gibbons v. OgdenGibbons v. Ogden decided that decided that

the federal government, not the states, can the federal government, not the states, can regulate interstate commerce.regulate interstate commerce.

Commerce powers also give congress the Commerce powers also give congress the power to regulate banking, broadcasting, power to regulate banking, broadcasting, finance, air and water pollution.finance, air and water pollution.

Powers of Congress Powers of Congress (cont.)(cont.)

4. Foreign Policy Powers4. Foreign Policy Powers Approve treatiesApprove treaties Declare warDeclare war Create and maintain an army and navyCreate and maintain an army and navy

5. National Growth5. National Growth Naturalization lawsNaturalization laws

Admit new statesAdmit new states

Govern territoriesGovern territories

Govern federal propertyGovern federal property

Powers of Congress Powers of Congress (cont.)(cont.)

6. Other Legislative Powers6. Other Legislative PowersGrant copyrightsGrant copyrightsIssue patentsIssue patentsEstablish post officesEstablish post officesEstablish federal courtsEstablish federal courts

Nonlegislative Powers of CongressNonlegislative Powers of Congress

1.1. Power to choose a President: No electoral Power to choose a President: No electoral college majoritycollege majority

2.2. 2525thth Amendment – allows President to choose Amendment – allows President to choose a new vice president with approval of a new vice president with approval of Congress.Congress.

3.3. Confirmation Powers: Senate has power to Confirmation Powers: Senate has power to approve officials appointed by the president. approve officials appointed by the president.

4. Ratification Powers: Senate ratifies treaties. 4. Ratification Powers: Senate ratifies treaties.

Nonlegislative Powers of Congress Nonlegislative Powers of Congress (cont.)(cont.)

5.5. Amendment PowerAmendment Power: : Congress Congress shares with state legislatures the shares with state legislatures the power to propose and ratify power to propose and ratify constitutional amendments. constitutional amendments.

Proposed by 2/3 vote of CongressProposed by 2/3 vote of Congress¾ of states must ratify¾ of states must ratify

Nonlegislative Powers of Congress Nonlegislative Powers of Congress (cont.)(cont.)

Impeachment:Impeachment: a formal accusation of a formal accusation of misconduct in officemisconduct in office

Majority of H.O.R. Must vote to impeachMajority of H.O.R. Must vote to impeachSenate conducts the trialSenate conducts the trial2/3 votes is required to conviction and 2/3 votes is required to conviction and

removal from officeremoval from officeChief Justice presides over the Senate if Chief Justice presides over the Senate if

President is being tried.President is being tried.

Power to InvestigatePower to Investigate

Investigative powers:Investigative powers:1.1. Issue a subpoena: a legal order to a person Issue a subpoena: a legal order to a person

appear or produce documentsappear or produce documents2.2. Require witnesses to testify under oath: can Require witnesses to testify under oath: can

arrest someone if he refuses (Contempt)arrest someone if he refuses (Contempt)3.3. Grant immunity: freedom from prosecution in Grant immunity: freedom from prosecution in

exchange for testimony.exchange for testimony. Congress uses the power of Congress uses the power of legislative oversightlegislative oversight

to weigh how well the executive branch carries to weigh how well the executive branch carries out its laws.out its laws.

General Accounting OfficeGeneral Accounting Office

A major legislative oversight tool is the A major legislative oversight tool is the General Accounting Office (GAO)General Accounting Office (GAO)

Routine financial auditsRoutine financial audits Investigates agencies and policiesInvestigates agencies and policiesMakes recommendations on all aspects of Makes recommendations on all aspects of

governmentgovernment

Congressional Budget OfficeCongressional Budget Office

Congressional Budget office (CBO)Congressional Budget office (CBO) Created in 1974Created in 1974 Advises Congress on the possible economic Advises Congress on the possible economic

effects of spending programseffects of spending programs Provides information on the cost of proposed Provides information on the cost of proposed

legislationlegislation Prepares analysis of President’s budget and Prepares analysis of President’s budget and

economic projections economic projections Aids Congress in budget debatesAids Congress in budget debates

Cooperation and Conflict

The members of Congress represent local, more The members of Congress represent local, more narrow interests than the president.narrow interests than the president.

Congressmen have to keep a smaller number of Congressmen have to keep a smaller number of constituents happy.constituents happy.

Partisan differences often cause conflict.Partisan differences often cause conflict.

The Struggle for Power

The balance of power has shifted back and forth The balance of power has shifted back and forth between Congress and the president. between Congress and the president.

Congress can limit or end the emergency Congress can limit or end the emergency powers it has granted the president. powers it has granted the president.

Congress has reduced the president’s power in Congress has reduced the president’s power in planning the budget and spending appropriated planning the budget and spending appropriated money. money.

Types of Bills and ResolutionsTypes of Bills and Resolutions

Public bills involve national issuesPublic bills involve national issues Private bills deal with individual people or Private bills deal with individual people or

places. places. Resolutions may be passed by either house Resolutions may be passed by either house

or by both houses jointly. or by both houses jointly. Both houses pass concurrent resolutions, which Both houses pass concurrent resolutions, which

do not have the force of law and do not need do not have the force of law and do not need President’s signature. President’s signature.

A rider is a provision attached to a bill on an A rider is a provision attached to a bill on an unrelated subject.unrelated subject.

Types of Bills and ResolutionsTypes of Bills and Resolutions

Only a few bills become laws because:Only a few bills become laws because:

1. the process is long and complex; 1. the process is long and complex;

2. measures must have broad support; 2. measures must have broad support;

3. supporters3. supporters mustmust bebe willingwilling toto compromise;compromise;

4. many bills are introduced that have no 4. many bills are introduced that have no chance of passing. chance of passing.

How a Bill Becomes LawHow a Bill Becomes Law

1.1. The bill is introduced by a member of The bill is introduced by a member of Congress.Congress.

2.2. The bill is referred to the appropriate The bill is referred to the appropriate committee.committee.

3.3. The committee holds hearings on the bill.The committee holds hearings on the bill.

4.4. The bill is amended.The bill is amended.

5.5. The bill is reported for floor The bill is reported for floor consideration.consideration.

How a Bill Becomes LawHow a Bill Becomes Law5.5. The bill is debated and amended.The bill is debated and amended.6.6. The bill is passed by a majority of the The bill is passed by a majority of the

house.house.7.7. The bill is sent to the other house.The bill is sent to the other house.8.8. Steps 2 – 7 are repeated in the other Steps 2 – 7 are repeated in the other

house.house.9.9. The bill is sent to a conference The bill is sent to a conference

committee.committee.10.10. A compromise bill is sent to each house A compromise bill is sent to each house

for final action.for final action.

How a Bill Becomes LawHow a Bill Becomes Law

11.11. The compromise bill is passed in each The compromise bill is passed in each house.house.

12.12. The bill is sent to the president.The bill is sent to the president.13.13. It becomes a law if the president signs it It becomes a law if the president signs it

or keeps it for 10 days without signing it. or keeps it for 10 days without signing it. 14.14. The president may kill it with a veto or a The president may kill it with a veto or a

pocket veto.pocket veto.15.15. Congress may override the president’s Congress may override the president’s

veto with 2/3 approval of both houses.veto with 2/3 approval of both houses.

Did You Know?Did You Know? Members of Congress often promote spending Members of Congress often promote spending

bills that benefit their district or state. For bills that benefit their district or state. For example, in 1997 Senator Richard Shelby of example, in 1997 Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama added a measure to the House Alabama added a measure to the House appropriations bill to spend $3 million for appropriations bill to spend $3 million for fertilizer research in Alabama. Senator Kay fertilizer research in Alabama. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas added a bill to build a Bailey Hutchison of Texas added a bill to build a new commuter lane on a bridge in El Paso. Both new commuter lane on a bridge in El Paso. Both senators were important members of the Senate senators were important members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and their efforts were Appropriations Committee, and their efforts were successful. successful.

Appropriating MoneyAppropriating Money

Congress uses a two-step procedure in Congress uses a two-step procedure in appropriating money:appropriating money:

1. an 1. an authorization billauthorization bill, setting up a federal , setting up a federal program and specifying how much money may program and specifying how much money may be spent on it; be spent on it;

2. an 2. an appropriations billappropriations bill, providing the money , providing the money needed to carry out the program or law.needed to carry out the program or law.

Each house of Congress has an appropriations Each house of Congress has an appropriations committee.committee.

Uncontrollable ExpendituresUncontrollable Expenditures

Uncontrollable Expenditures are money Uncontrollable Expenditures are money has been previously committed by past has been previously committed by past CongressesCongresses

Called uncontrollable because government Called uncontrollable because government is legally committed to spend the moneyis legally committed to spend the money

EX: Social Security, National debt, federal EX: Social Security, National debt, federal contracts…contracts…

Influences on LawmakersInfluences on Lawmakers

Lawmakers’ views on decisions are Lawmakers’ views on decisions are seldom based on individual conscience. seldom based on individual conscience.

Voters back home, lawmakers’ staff Voters back home, lawmakers’ staff members, lawmakers’ own political members, lawmakers’ own political parties, the president, and special-interest parties, the president, and special-interest groups all influence lawmakers’ views. groups all influence lawmakers’ views.

Influences on CongressInfluences on Congress

Interest groups and their lobbyists Interest groups and their lobbyists represent various interests, including labor represent various interests, including labor and business groups, education and and business groups, education and environmental organizations, and minority environmental organizations, and minority groups. groups.

Political action committees (PACs) are Political action committees (PACs) are political fund-raising organizations that political fund-raising organizations that give their funds to support lawmakers who give their funds to support lawmakers who favor the PAC’s position. favor the PAC’s position.

Handling ProblemsHandling ProblemsCaseworkers on lawmakers’ staffs help Caseworkers on lawmakers’ staffs help

them deal with voters’ requests for help. them deal with voters’ requests for help. Lawmakers spend a great deal of time on Lawmakers spend a great deal of time on

casework because responding to voters casework because responding to voters helps them get reelected, casework brings helps them get reelected, casework brings problems with federal programs to problems with federal programs to lawmakers’ attention, and caseworkers lawmakers’ attention, and caseworkers help citizens cope with the huge national help citizens cope with the huge national government. government.

Helping the District or StateHelping the District or State

Lawmakers bring federal projects and Lawmakers bring federal projects and money to their districts and states through money to their districts and states through pork-barrel legislationpork-barrel legislation, federal grants and , federal grants and contracts, and keeping federal projects. contracts, and keeping federal projects.

Congress appropriates billions of dollars Congress appropriates billions of dollars for local projects that can bring funds and for local projects that can bring funds and jobs to districts and statesjobs to districts and states

Did You Know?Did You Know?

Critics say that the “pork” in “pork-barrel Critics say that the “pork” in “pork-barrel legislation” is used to “grease” the wheels of legislation” is used to “grease” the wheels of government. By that, they mean that when government. By that, they mean that when Congress appropriates millions of dollars for Congress appropriates millions of dollars for local projects, such as hydroelectric dams, local projects, such as hydroelectric dams, environmental cleanup programs, and mass environmental cleanup programs, and mass transit projects, it does so for two reasons: to transit projects, it does so for two reasons: to help districts and states provide services and, help districts and states provide services and, just as important, to improve their own chances just as important, to improve their own chances of being reelected. of being reelected.