Table of Contents
How do members of Congress represent the people they serve?
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.
How has the powers of Congress changed over time?
“Congress has expanded the domain of its legislative powers—the power to pass laws—as the nation has grown. The most significant expansion of congressional legislative power is in its control over the economy—taxing, spending, and regulating interstate commerce” (McGraw-Hill).
How are members of Congress selected?
Members of Congress in both houses are elected by direct popular vote. Senators are elected via a statewide vote and representatives by voters in each congressional district. Each of the 100 members of the Senate is elected to serve a six-year term representing the people of their state.
What is the basic yearly salary for members of Congress who sets their salary?
$174,000
Salaries of members of the United States Congress
| Position | Salary |
|---|---|
| Senators and House Representatives | $174,000 |
| Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico | $174,000 |
| President pro tempore of the Senate | $193,400 |
| Majority leader and minority leader of the Senate | $193,400 |
How many offices does each member of Congress have?
Every member of Congress has two sets of offices, one in Washington, D.C., and district offices in areas where their constituents live. D.C. staffers are responsible for researching and advising senators and representatives on the hundreds of issues Congress covers each year.
What’s the best way to talk to Congress?
Those can be set up at any time simply by calling the office (every office line is listed on their congressional website) and asking for a meeting. Just make sure you are calling the right office (go here to look up your House representatives. and go here for your senators) because, again, they will only want to hear from their constituents.
Do you always agree with your representative in Congress?
Nor do constituents always agree on everything. Navigating their sometimes contradictory demands and balancing them with the demands of the party, powerful interest groups, ideological concerns, the legislative body, their own personal beliefs, and the country as a whole can be a complicated and frustrating process for representatives.
What does Congress do for the American people?
What Congress Does. Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that represents the American people and makes the nation’s laws.