Influencing Government

1. What is the most important factor that determines how a Congressman votes?

2. How is it determined whether your grandma goes into an old folks home or not?

Warm up

I will be able to examine how lawmakers in Congress are influenced to vote by completing a study guide.

Content Objective

What factors influence a lawmaker’s decisions?

Question #1

Voters’ concerns (constituency)Political party’s stand on issuesPresident’s desiresSpecial interest groups

Why is his constituency the main concern of a lawmaker? Give two reasons.

Answer #1

How do members of Congress learn of the needs 0f their constituency?

Which constituents are the most important?

Addressing Concerns

Complete Study Guide on Influencing Congress pgs. 194-198

Read/Study Guide

House of Representatives votes with their party more often than the Senate. Why?

Question #2: Which issues usually bring “party line” votes?

The Influence of Parties

Best stage for persuading public opinion

Lawmakers don’t want to make the president mad. You want him to like you.

Influence of President

• Lobbyists- interest group representatives• Professional persuaders

• Political Action Committees• Professional fund-raisers

• What do most people find the most persuasive tool to get them to change their minds?

Special Interest Groups

List of special interest groups Jack Abramoff

Complete Study Guide on Influencing Congress pgs. 194-198

Study Guide