12. Identify and describe the factors that influence voting patterns of members of Congress. Include internal influences within Congress and external influences.
Perhaps the largest influence on voting patterns in Congress, party affiliation exerts powerful persuasion in terms of how representatives and senators vote. A certain “peer pressure” comes from both the parties, and “Whips” are often responsible for “whipping” their fellow members to vote in line with the party. Also, campaign aid, vital to winning an election, provides an incentive to vote along party lines. Political Action Committees (PACs), other sources of essential campaign funding and assistance, also influence voting patterns, especially for those Congressmen up for reelection. Other internal factors that influence voting include certain caucuses or knowledgeable colleagues. A member who lacks expertise or interest in one policy area or legislative decision will often defer to a more senior, experienced associate , either to answer a personal plea (such as presidents make ask) or “trade votes” with an member who holds more interest in the bill in exchange for a favorable vote on another bill. In addition, special caucuses, such as the Black Caucus, can assist a Congressional officer in making a decision. Further, within the Congressman/woman’s own office, his or her staff exert a large sway on how their employer will vote. The staff prepares condensed versions of the bills to inform their congressman and, especially in cases when the member has little opinion or interest, the associates can even advise their members on how to vote in specific issues. Support agencies, such as the Congressional Budget Office and the Congressional Research Service, provide information and analysis on specific issues that can aid a representative or senator in reaching a decision. External dynamics play a large role in voting patterns as well. Interests groups desiring to further their own agenda, along with their lobbyists, will try to influence members of Congress to cast their vote in favor of bills abetting their company or organization’s interests and goals. These special interest groups can organize grass roots movements that can quickly sweep a candidate into office or initiate large protests, such as the Tea Party movement. Certain “wining and dining” of Congressional officers can also play a role in voting choices, although a bit underhanded. Lastly, the constituents “back home” weigh in on issues as well. The office of the Congressman or woman keeps a record of emails and other media it has received in order to measure his district’s opinion on the issue. In this manner, a representative or senator preserves his good standing with his constituents, the voter electorate that chooses him for the job every 2 or 6 years!
There are many factors that influence voting patterns in congress. The most influential of these factors is the party in which a candidate is in. Republicans get pressure among other congressmen to vote Republican, whereas Democrats are pressured to take Democratic stands on voting. Whips are another influence on voting. Whips are people that are associated with a designated party that try to get candidates to vote in favor of their party. Campaign money is another area that highly influences voting. For example, a company might only sponsor a congressman if he or she votes along side of the company. Without money a congressman looses much attention and lowers his or her chance of being reelected or moving up to a higher seat in congress. Pressure amongst the congressman is another internal factor. Younger congressmen tend to look up to the older wiser congressmen to determine their stance on an issue out of peer pressure. A congressmen’s staff plays a huge role in influencing voting as well. The staff prepares the briefs of the proposed bills and can easily inform the congressmen in a biased fashion which would lead the congressman to vote in his staff’s favor and not his own opinion. External factors also play into voting patterns. Interest groups and lobbyist devote much money to congressmen’s campaigns to get them to vote in their favors. Another even more important external factor is the people back home. After all without the support of a congressman’s state he or she would not even of been elected. It is important for a congressman to listen to his home state so he or she can be reelected every several years. Not to mention that it is their job is to represent their designated areas to the fullest!
PAC's are political action committees usually organized by interest groups or factions. They supply donations for campaign funding and try to influence congressmen on key votes.
Another external influence is the President. He will work the telephones or invite members of Congress to meetings at the White House to promote passage of legislation.
Perhaps the largest influence on voting patterns in Congress, party affiliation exerts powerful persuasion in terms of how representatives and senators vote. A certain “peer pressure” comes from both the parties, and “Whips” are often responsible for “whipping” their fellow members to vote in line with the party. Also, campaign aid, vital to winning an election, provides an incentive to vote along party lines. Political Action Committees (PACs), other sources of essential campaign funding and assistance, also influence voting patterns, especially for those Congressmen up for reelection. Other internal factors that influence voting include certain caucuses or knowledgeable colleagues. A member who lacks expertise or interest in one policy area or legislative decision will often defer to a more senior, experienced associate , either to answer a personal plea (such as presidents make ask) or “trade votes” with an member who holds more interest in the bill in exchange for a favorable vote on another bill. In addition, special caucuses, such as the Black Caucus, can assist a Congressional officer in making a decision. Further, within the Congressman/woman’s own office, his or her staff exert a large sway on how their employer will vote. The staff prepares condensed versions of the bills to inform their congressman and, especially in cases when the member has little opinion or interest, the associates can even advise their members on how to vote in specific issues. Support agencies, such as the Congressional Budget Office and the Congressional Research Service, provide information and analysis on specific issues that can aid a representative or senator in reaching a decision.
ReplyDeleteExternal dynamics play a large role in voting patterns as well. Interests groups desiring to further their own agenda, along with their lobbyists, will try to influence members of Congress to cast their vote in favor of bills abetting their company or organization’s interests and goals. These special interest groups can organize grass roots movements that can quickly sweep a candidate into office or initiate large protests, such as the Tea Party movement. Certain “wining and dining” of Congressional officers can also play a role in voting choices, although a bit underhanded. Lastly, the constituents “back home” weigh in on issues as well. The office of the Congressman or woman keeps a record of emails and other media it has received in order to measure his district’s opinion on the issue. In this manner, a representative or senator preserves his good standing with his constituents, the voter electorate that chooses him for the job every 2 or 6 years!
There are many factors that influence voting patterns in congress. The most influential of these factors is the party in which a candidate is in. Republicans get pressure among other congressmen to vote Republican, whereas Democrats are pressured to take Democratic stands on voting. Whips are another influence on voting. Whips are people that are associated with a designated party that try to get candidates to vote in favor of their party. Campaign money is another area that highly influences voting. For example, a company might only sponsor a congressman if he or she votes along side of the company. Without money a congressman looses much attention and lowers his or her chance of being reelected or moving up to a higher seat in congress. Pressure amongst the congressman is another internal factor. Younger congressmen tend to look up to the older wiser congressmen to determine their stance on an issue out of peer pressure. A congressmen’s staff plays a huge role in influencing voting as well. The staff prepares the briefs of the proposed bills and can easily inform the congressmen in a biased fashion which would lead the congressman to vote in his staff’s favor and not his own opinion. External factors also play into voting patterns. Interest groups and lobbyist devote much money to congressmen’s campaigns to get them to vote in their favors. Another even more important external factor is the people back home. After all without the support of a congressman’s state he or she would not even of been elected. It is important for a congressman to listen to his home state so he or she can be reelected every several years. Not to mention that it is their job is to represent their designated areas to the fullest!
ReplyDeletePAC's are political action committees usually organized by interest groups or factions. They supply donations for campaign funding and try to influence congressmen on key votes.
ReplyDeleteAnother external influence is the President. He will work the telephones or invite members of Congress to meetings at the White House to promote passage of legislation.