Why is Congress important to the people?

Why is Congress important to the people?

Through legislative debate and compromise, the U.S. Congress makes laws that influence our daily lives. It holds hearings to inform the legislative process, conducts investigations to oversee the executive branch, and serves as the voice of the people and the states in the federal government.

Do the people choose Congress?

United States Congress and citizens describes the relation between the public and lawmakers. Essentially, American citizens elect members of Congress every two years who have the duty to represent their interests in the national legislature of the United States.

Why is it important for citizens to vote for leaders?

Another responsibility of citizens is voting. The law does not require citizens to vote, but voting is a very important part of any democracy. By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens’ interests.

What is the most important role of Congress?

The primary function of Congress is to pass rules that all Americans must obey, a function called lawmaking. Many of the bills considered by Congress originate with the executive branch, but only Congress can create laws.

How does Congress represent the people?

Members of Congress represent the people of their district in the United States Congress by holding hearings, as well as developing and voting on legislation. All bills must pass Congress before they can go to the President to be signed into law.

Why is Congress so powerful?

1) It is independent from the executive branch of government and cannot be controlled by it. Congress can and does ignore or over-rule presidential policies. 2) It controls the purse-strings, a particular function of the House of Representatives. 3)It is the representative assembly of the USA- the voice of the people.

Whose views should Congress represent when voting?

whose views should members of congress represent when voting? They could be delegates, who believe they should vote however their constituents want them to, even if it means going against their own personal views or those of his or her party.

Is voting a right or responsibility?

In the U.S., no one is required by law to vote in any local, state, or presidential election. According to the U.S. Constitution, voting is a right. Many constitutional amendments have been ratified since the first election. However, none of them made voting mandatory for U.S. citizens.

Do you vote for both senators?

Each state is equally represented by two senators who serve staggered terms of six years. From 1789 to 1913, senators were appointed by legislatures of the states they represented. They are now elected by popular vote following the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913.

Why is Congress the most important branch?

Congress is considered the most important branch because it is the branch that is the most responsive to the people. One reason why it is responsive (in theory) is due to the frequency of elections (they pay attention to what the constituents want). What does the Constitution say about Congressional Elections?

Which power of Congress is the most important and why?

The Constitution specifically grants Congress its most important power — the authority to make laws. A bill, or proposed law, only becomes a law after both the House of Representatives and the Senate have approved it in the same form.

Why do voters and political activists matter?

Voters and political activists generally are more educated and better off financially than the general population. Because of this, these people have the best chance of having their views represented in government.

Why do people get involved in politics?

Those with stable community roots often have strong incentives and greater resources for becoming involved in politics. Senior citizens, people age 65 and older, also have high turnout rates of around 70 percent. Historically, young people have been less likely to vote as they often lack the money and time to participate.

How does education affect political participation?

Wealthier and better educated people tend to vote more often, participate more in political activities, and donate more money to causes than poorer or less educated people. They also have greater access to the resources that facilitate political activity, including contact with people in powerful positions.

What are the factors that affect voter turnout?

The most important socioeconomic factor affecting voter turnout is education. The more educated a person is, the more likely he or she is to vote. Studies show that this is true, even controlling for other factors that are closely associated with education level, such as income and class.