2. 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?

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

4. What factors influence a lawmaker’s decisions?

5. Voters’ concerns (constituency) Political party’s stand on issues President’s desires Special interest groups Why is his constituency the main concern of a lawmaker? Give two reasons.

6. How do members of Congress learn of the needs 0f their constituency? Which constituents are the most important?

7. Complete Study Guide on Influencing Congress pgs. 194-198

8. House of Representatives votes with their party more often than the Senate. Why? Question #2: Which issues usually bring “party line” votes?

9. Best stage for persuading public opinion Lawmakers don’t want to make the president mad. You want him to like you.

10. 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? List of special interest groups Jack Abramoff

11. Complete Study Guide on Influencing Congress pgs. 194-198