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The United States Congress: A Re-election Machine

The United States Congress: A Re-election Machine. What kinds of legislative behavior can MC’s engage in to help their re-election chances?. General representational behaviors Visiting the district Communicating with constituents (media, newsletters, advertising). Legislative behaviors

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The United States Congress: A Re-election Machine

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  1. The United States Congress: A Re-election Machine

  2. What kinds of legislative behavior can MC’s engage in to help their re-election chances?

  3. General representational behaviors Visiting the district Communicating with constituents (media, newsletters, advertising) Legislative behaviors Voting Introducing bills Working in committee Overseeing the executive Purely Electoral Behaviors Raising Money Campaigning

  4. Given re-election motive, Congress as an institution will… • Be an ombudsman • Expresses constituency preferences, not necessarily national preferences (common good) • Pass legislation that contains particularized benefits • Pass legislation that will not impose large, direct costs on constituents

  5. Given re-election motive, Congress as an institution will… • Pass legislation that embodies a good “end” even if means are poorly tailored to achieve it • Balance attentive with inattentive publics on high profile issues • Serve attentive publics on low profile issues • Express symbolic policy preferences, not necessarily follow through • Not check and/or balance the executive branch

  6. CQ election map

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