Explain the difficulties involving the representation function of Congress. How does the representation function conflict with the lawmaking function of Congress?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The representation function of Congress is complex. Members of Congress are in Washington to serve the interests of the state or district constituency that elected them. Given their concern for reelection, members of Congress often promote local interests over national interests, especially when the issue at stake is a narrow one. Local representation can affect committee memberships and the distribution of federal funds. However, the representative function can be limited in that most constituents have little to no knowledge of most of the bills and issues that come before Congress. The representation function also occurs through parties, which group the interests of like-minded voters, but lately the partisan nature of parties has directly interfered with the lawmaking function of Congress. Polarization has led to gridlock and the inability to make policy and pass laws on issues even when most members of Congress agree that something needs to be done. Partisan party politics can also hurt the representation function, especially with respect to local interests, as it increasingly leads to a nationalization of congressional politics.