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The Role of Congress: Serving the People and Navigating Influences

Explore the important role of Congress as the legislative branch of the federal government, and how they make laws, oversee government agencies, and provide services to the people. Discover how personal beliefs, constituent interests, interest groups, and political party loyalty influence the decisions and actions of Congress.

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The Role of Congress: Serving the People and Navigating Influences

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  1. Chapter 5.1 Role of Congress • Congress works for the people…. • But who exactly are those people?

  2. In Congress We Trust… • Congress • Legislative branch of the federal government • Considered the most important branch of the government by the Founding Fathers. • How do we know?

  3. Tallest Point in Washington, D.C

  4. Abe Lincoln’s Inaugural Address

  5. Old Senate Room

  6. New Senate Room

  7. The Rotunda

  8. Who are our Senators? • 2 Senators • Republican Rob Portman • Democrat Sherrod Brown

  9. Who is our Congressman/woman? • Representative Betty Sutton • Represents the 13th district of Ohio • Democrat

  10. Congress has 3 key roles • Make laws • Oversee the performance of government agencies • Provide services to the people they represent • What influences politicians the most?

  11. What influences a Congressman? • Personal beliefs • Constituent’s beliefs • Interest groups • Political party loyalty

  12. Personal Beliefs • Studies show that members of Congress are strongly influenced by their own personal beliefs • Follow their instinct to do what is best for our country. • Should they be doing this? • Example: • 1990 82% of Americans wanted to ban flag burning • Congress voted down an amendment three times!

  13. Constituent’s Interests • Constituent • Residents of Congressman’s district or state • Politicians want to serve those who voted them in. • Should focus on local issues! • Question: Should local issues override national issues? • Ohio issue = public education • US issue = national health care

  14. Interest’s Groups • Interest groups • People acting together to achieve shared political goals • Why are they good? • Provide information on issues • Suggest laws to Congressman to benefit their interests

  15. Negative Impact of Interest Groups • They tend to have a lot of money! • Can donate money to Congressman to help them run for re-election. • Done thru political action committees • Separate branch of interest groups formed for purpose of raising money for Congressman who help their cause.

  16. Political Party Loyalty • Party loyalty affects how members of Congress vote! • Republicans vote for Republicans! • Democrats vote for Democrats! • Goal = try to steal enough votes to get laws passed!

  17. Why do political parties play such a major role? • Strong party leadership! • Keeps everyone in line! • People of same party have shared beliefs and values. • People of same party want to eventually want to run for higher office! • Just a few examples….

  18. Before He was POTUS…

  19. Who wants to become POTUS…

  20. Who wants to be POTUS now…

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