You are a freshman member of the House of Representatives. What committee(s) would you most like to be on, and why?
When and how might you become chair? What advantages will being on a committee offer you and your constituents? Be sure to consider how your particular district affects your choices.
An ideal response will:
1. Relate that committees are the most important influencers of the congressional agenda, and that committee chairs are the most important influencers of the committee agenda.
2. Make a committee choice with great powers (such as the Committee on Rules), with direct relevance to the economy, or with importance to the student legislator's constituents.
3. Note that committee chairs in the House are no longer selected based solely on the seniority system, but by demonstrating party loyalty via interviews with the majority party leadership. This forces the legislator to toe the party line on key decisions. However, straying too far from the will of one's constituency could prove disastrous for reelection.
4. Include information on the benefits of chairmanship, such as control over legislation, deference from other legislators, and preferential treatment by lobbyists.
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Fill in the blank with the appropriate word.
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