Major Influences on Lawmakers • voters in lawmaker’s home state or district (voters expect 1 – needs of district to be put ahead of national interests; and 2 – wishes of the people above their own judgment) • the lawmaker’s political party (strongest on economic and social issues; weaker on international issues) • the Speaker of the House • the Senate majority leader • lobbyists for special interest groups and PACs (encouraging citizens to become active; fundraising for or against a certain person) • the president (pressures for nationally televised addresses to sway public opinion; threatening a veto) • staff or committee members • campaign fund contributors and campaign workers • each other The Influence of Party Politics on Common Issues help for low‐income people and projects ‐ Dem limited government intervention in the economy – Rep. less for government spending – Rep. social welfare programs ‐ Dem. ACTIVITY 7‐ greater government regulation of business – Dem. job programs through public works – Dem. less government regulation of business – Rep. local and state, rather than national, solutions to problems – Rep. Legislators’ Casework Examples of Casework: A soldier wants to be moved to a base close to seriously ill parents; a local business person claims the Federal Trade Commission is treating his/her business unfairly; a new high school graduate would like help finding a government job in Washington, D.C. Purposes of Casework: Casework helps lawmakers get reelected; casework is one way in which Congress oversees the executive branch; casework provides a way for the average citizen to cope with the huge national government. Bringing Home the Bacon: How Lawmakers Work for Their States’ Share Pork‐Barrel Legislation: Lawmakers use their contacts or their positions in Congress to bring needed projects, and therefore money and jobs, into their home states. Federal Grants and Contracts: Lawmakers compete for grants and contracts by pressuring officials from executive branch agencies to give a favorable hearing to their home state. They may also help citizens from their home states, businesses, and local governments to win federal grants and contracts. Keeping Federal Projects: Lawmakers use expert staff members to help their home states qualify for new projects and to keep those they already have.