1. Unit 3: The Legislative Branch
Roles of Members of Congress

2. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Introduction to the Roles of Members of Congress
Notes:
Originally, the Legislative Branch of government was intended to be most responsible for the development of the Republic. Being the only branch of the Federal Government where the people directly elect political leaders, it makes sense that Congress is given the majority of the duties and specifically listed in the Constitution.

3. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Introduction to the Roles of Members of Congress (cont’d.)
Notes:
Members of Congress essentially have 5 major roles:
Policy Maker
Representative
Constituent Servant
Committee Member
Party Member

4. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Policy Maker
Notes:
The purpose of Congress is to make laws. Therefore, members of Congress are expected to be influential in creating and passing laws—thus, shaping policy

5. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Representative
Notes:
Member of Congress are expected to represent the interest and wishes of their sates/districts rather than their own. Often, however, members of Congress have views that conflict with that of their constituents (voters that elected them).

6. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Constituent Servant
Notes:
Aside from creating/passing laws that benefit their constituents, members of Congress are expected to help if constituents are having to deal with federal government agencies. They should help get responses to local disasters and work with state and local leaders.

7. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Committee Member
Notes:
Creating laws a a lengthy and complex process. It is nearly impossible for a member of Congress to become an expert on every bill that is proposed—the job is already quite overwhelming.
Thousands of bills are proposed each session. Because of this, the committee system was created to help Congress become more efficient.

8. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Committee Member (cont’d.)
Notes:
Each member of Congress is to serve on committees that cover topics that they can become more knowledgeable in.
Committees play an important role in the law making process, so committee membership is an important responsibility.

9. Roles of Members of Congress:
Main Idea: Party Member
Notes:
Members of Congress are expected to support the goals of their political party. This requires their decisions to be consistent with their respective parties.