Writing Assignment #2

Writing Assignment #2
Immanuel Rhoads
Professor Sacerdote
10/8/2024
Congressional Representation
The goal of Congress is to meet the legislative needs of the people that are represented.
Congress has a lot of federal law in place to ensure that everyone is to be represented. However,
nothing is perfect and there are a lot of pitfalls in legislative representation of the people.
According to the text, many representatives can greatly go off their own personal objectives
while other representatives practice only what the people deem necessary. Although there should
be some moral compass when it comes to decisions that effect the people. A representative
should not vote strictly against their district’s wishes if they believe that their alternative decision
would be helpful (Pickett, 2010). The representative should suggest what their course of action
would be to the people they represent and still, let the people decide what is best for themselves.
Representatives debate over what is the proper form of representation which makes constituents
uneasy. Overall, Congress does its best to ensure everything is fair and proper, but it is no
surprise that Congress is not fully a reliable representative body.
1
Ideas in Legislation
Ideas in Legislation can come from many different areas in government and out. Ideas
usually come from the president, constituents, special interest groups, and Congress itself. Bills
that are to be reviewed are sent to the House and Senate, but if they involve raising revenue, they
must pass through the House first. Otherwise, if both chambers view the same proposal, then the
time at which they are viewed does not matter. The process begins with the speaker reviewing
the bills. After being reviewed by the speaker, they are sent to a subcommittee to be marked up
or altered if needed. The bill is then sent to the committee to be reviewed and if it passes it goes
before both chambers. After being reviewed by all of Congress, if approved, will then be
reviewed by the president. Bill reviews are strictly monitored and ruled by committees and
subcommittees during this process, which officiates and regulates the debates.
Committees in Legislation
The role of a committee in a legislative process can differ in a few ways. Committees can
be used to settle differences between the two chambers, sway representatives from one side to
another; which is basically acting as a special interest group, function as advisors, or act directly
into legislation by mediating and negotiating terms of different bills. Committees, depending on
their role, can elect people from both chambers to have an even opinion in the process. Overall,
these committees may have distinct roles and timelines in the process, but their overall goal is to
get the legislative process going as easy and efficiently as possible by solving any problems as
soon as they arise.
2
Presidential Role in Legislation
The president does not have a huge role in Congress, but still plays an important one.
Once a bill is reviewed and agreed upon by both chambers of Congress, then the president gets to
decide whether he signs it, allows it to be law without him signing it in, or veto it. If the bill gets
vetoed by the president, Congress can either scrap it or fight against the veto. If Congress gets
2/3 majority from both chambers, then the law passes regardless of whether the president
approves of it or not. The president also approves funding for branches of government, including
legislation. The president’s role in legislation is important because it gives Congress the freedom
to act on its own terms, sway legislation without having a hands-on approach; usually by not
acting on a bill shows dissatisfaction of it, and eases the president’s workload. There are many
more little influences the president can have on legislation, but these are the most influential.
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process of dividing up areas of states among the given number of
representatives for that state. If a state has more than one representative, then the state needs to
be divided up into lawfully equal districts. These districts are divided up by population, race,
gender, religion, etc. These districts basically need to be composed with equal ratios of people
for the districts to be deemed lawful. Redistricting is important because it attempts to let every
people in on the decisions, and it prevents any one party or representative from becoming too
powerful in the House. Redistricting also ensures that the people are represented by a relevant
representative that aligns with the interests of the constituents.
3
Bibliography
Pickett, K. (2010, August 16). Rep. Massa: I will vote against the interests of my district. The
Washington Times. (Accessed 2024, October 7) Retrieved from
https://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2009/aug/16/video-rep-massa-i-will-vote-
against-interests-my-d/ & The Basics of American Government (Cavalli)
Cavalli, C. D. (n.d.). The Basics of American Government (Third Edition). University of North
Georgia. https://ung.edu/university-press/books/the-basics-of-american-government-3-
edition.php

Writing Assignment #2 - POLS101A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Writing Assignment #2 - POLS101A

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Writing Assignment #2 - POLS101A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

surprise that Congress is not fully a reliable representative body.

soon as they arise.

representative that aligns with the interests of the constituents.

Washington Times. (Accessed 2024, October 7) Retrieved from

against-interests-my-d/ & The Basics of American Government (Cavalli)

You might also like